"Selecting Profitable Enterprises to Ensure Economic Sustainability"

This week I focused on particular marketing strategies through ATTRA's resources links. I read three comprehensive pdf files on marketing strategies. They are called "Alternative Agronomic Crops," "Evaluating a Farmer Enterprise," and "Moving Beyond Conventional Cash Cropping." The links to view these online are listed below:
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=84
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=277
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=104
1. I will briefly write about the take away messages that I learned from these files.
First of all, if you are a farmer looking for experience to work on a farm to gain experience prior to starting your own farm, apprenticeship opportunities are available through ATTRA. Follow this link to find an opportunity for you: https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/internships.
2. If you have experience working on a farm and are interested in purchasing land, it is suggested to find land purchasing opportunities through your local NRCS office.
3. Choose a centerpiece enterprise; something that will work well with your land based on soil quality and other similar contributing factors. Choose something that has infrastructure that could work well with other products. Pay attention to what farmers around you are growing. Try to tap into a market that hasn't been discovered yet. Along the lines of that, crop planning is one of the most important aspects of farm planning. It is important to study the markets (identify wholesalers, retailers, etc.), learn the specialty market standards required, learn about the equipment, read about your new enterprise, talk to others who are already doing it, and make your connections before you grow your crop.
4. Establish income goals for your farm. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you want farming to supply all of your income? Do you want your farm to supply enough income that you only work part time? Do you want your farm to support your family for a long- term (ie, retirement fund, college tuition?) Do you want to bring your children or other relatives in as business partners eventually? Do you want the farm to supply enough money for health insurance?
5. Once you have started your farm, it is important to not let your business growth get ahead of itself. Ask yourself periodically questions such as the following: How are my financial backing or resources? Do I currently have adequate access to equipment? If you find yourself to be lacking in some areas, it is important to take a step back and work on getting more experience, strengthening connections, finding resources, etc.
6. When considering farm profitability, add your costs from machinery repair, labor, and all other farm expenses to your desired profit to determine the amount needed to pay costs and profit (margin.)
7. A few things to consider when planning your enterprise as a successful farmer: Capacity (acreage, infrastructure), record keeping, certification, communication, and sales/ promotion.