Resources For New Farm Enterprises
Where to Go for Help
As governmental farm supports decrease, farm enterprises are relying more and more on the same infrastructure that supports other small businesses. However, the world of small business assistance and training is still adapting to the changing needs of farmers and small agri-business professionals. While there is no single place you can go to for all your assistance needs, there are many resources available to a determined farm entrepreneur. Remember, persistence is the key to getting the resources you need to be successful!
Cooperative Extension Early in your planning, check with your local Cooperative Extension office. Sometimes Cooperative Extension offers
extraordinarily valuable training opportunities. Your local agents may also be familiar with other
local resources that may be of use to you. Every county is served by a Cooperative Extension office.
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA) may be able to help you with new enterprise development in a number of ways. They may be able to provide information and consultation on agricultural production, processing (including regulatory requirements), and marketing. NCDA is a large
organization with responsibilities spread out over a number of different entities. Finding the person
who can answer your specific question requires persistence.
NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
1001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
919-733-7125
Information is available online at www.ncagr.gov.
Small Business Administration (SBA) is also a good source for information on business planning. It provides interactive tools and free on-line courses to help you learn small business planning. SBA may also refer you to other service providers who can better assist you. In North Carolina, SBA works with three groups (described below): SBTDC, SCORE, and SBCN at the state’s community colleges.
Contact: North Carolina District Office
6302 Fairview Road, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28210-2227
704-344-6563
Information is available online at www.sba.gov
The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is designed for small business owners and those interested in starting a small business. SBTDC’s goal is to help entrepreneurs meet the challenges of the modern business environment, successfully manage fast-paced changes, and plan for the future of their business. SBTDC provides management counseling and educational services through 17 offices located at colleges or universities across NC. All services are confidential and most are free of charge.
Contact: Small Business and Technology Development Center
5 West Hargett Street, Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27601-1348
919-715-7272
800-258-0862 (in North Carolina only)
E-mail questions to: info@sbtdc.org
Information is available online at www.sbtdc.org.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
is a national nonprofit volunteer association of skilled and talented retirees. Volunteers share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. In this way they encourage the formation, growth, and success of small business. The national organization’s website, www.score.org,
has useful information and you can locate your local SCORE chapter through the following weblink: http://www.sba.gov/index.html
Small Business Center Network (SBCN) — The objective of the SBCN is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners and their employees. Each Small Business Center is a community based provider of education and training, counseling, information and referral. There is a SBCN office located at all 58 of the state’s community colleges. Services include business seminars and workshops;
free confidential business counseling and access to vital resources and information. They can put you in touch with business and community leaders, as well as local, state and federal agencies who share the goal of making your business a success. You can find more information at www.sbcn.nc.gov.
Creating Business Opportunities (CBO) is a partnership between North Carolina State University, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the North Carolina Farm Bureau, and the Rural Center. The partnership is to support the development of an array of agricultural business opportunities in North Carolina. The project has developed a website with links to a variety of useful information sources on
the topic of business development at www.ces.ncsu.edu/cbo.
Economic Development Commissions (EDC) are state, regional, and local organizations that attempt to stimulate business growth and development through business recruitment and technical assistance. EDC staff members are generally knowledgeable about many aspects of business development including business plan
development and financing. Many farmers have found their local EDC staff to be helpful in project development. The best place to look for your local EDC is in the phone book or through your chamber of commerce. Some of North Carolina’s EDCs are listed on this website: .
North Carolina Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (NC REAL) offers training and other assistance to small businesses, including farmers. NC REAL offers business educational modules through its internet website, www.ncreal.org, or through participating community colleges. These self-guided audio-visual training modules require a small fee.
The North Carolina Farm Transition Network (NCFTN) provides information about farm
asset and business transition from one operator to the next. NCFTN assists farmers with planning for the future that eases the hardship involved with changes in personnel.
Contact: NC Farm Transition Network
P.O. Box 443
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-7539
Email: passthefarm@gmail.com
www.ncftn.org
The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center (Rural Center) has a searchable online database that is useful in gathering demographic data for market analysis. Additionally, the Rural Center offers a micro-enterprise loan fund that is specifically intended to assist North Carolina entrepreneurs to overcome capital access barriers.
Contact: NC Rural Economic Development Center
4021 Carya Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
919-250-4314
Email: info@ncruralcenter.org
www.ncruralcenter.org
Business Resources Directory lists business assistance available in North Carolina’s 100 counties; produced by The Rural Center. It provides entrepreneurs with current information on resources for financial and technical assistance. Available in hard copy (232 pages) or online at
www.ncruralcenter.org Directory website: www.ncruralcenter.org/entrepreneurship/brd.asp
North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development is a statewide nonprofit organization representing the interest of underdeveloped and underutilized sectors of the state’s economy. The Institute’s business development resources work to assist minority entrepreneurs to access affordable capital, expanded
market opportunities and stable internal management and control systems. Through direct, one-onone
technical assistance and small group education and training, businesses are positioned for growth and expansion.
Contact: North Carolina Institute of Minority
Economic Development
114 W. Parrish St, Durham, NC 27701
919-956-8889
Email: info@ncimed.com
www.ncimed.com
Farm Service Agency (FSA): While commonly known as the “lender of last resort,” FSA is also a source of many opportunities. Because of its work in overseeing loan programs, disaster assistance, conservation programs, price supports and commodities programs, FSA can be a great help to you in shaping your farm enterprise.
Contact: United States Department of Agriculture
North Carolina State FSA Office
4407 Bland Road, Suite 175
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 875 - 4800
www.fsa.usda.gov
The North Carolina Department of Commerce offers consultations to new businesses, identifying all the licenses, permits, regulations, and/or other approvals required for the planned business activity. Farm enterprises which aspire to do on-farm processing or other value-added activities may require such assistance. Meat processing, dairy, and agri-tourism activities are examples of businesses that require such assistance.
Contact: NC Department of Commerce
4301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4301
919-715-4151
http://www.nccommerce.com/en
Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses.” The single best source we’ve found to guide you through writing a business plan for your farm is this highly detailed guide which takes you through all the steps in the process, in workbook fashion. It is available in printedition or downloadable through the USDA’s SARE website: www.sare.org/publications/business.htm
University of Illinois offers free tools to help you make better decisions with userfriendly computer programs. FAST (Farm Analysis Solution Tools) are very easy to use, and would be helpful to North Carolina farmers in financial statement preparation, cash flow budgeting, assessing the financial performance of a farm
operation, understanding various loan decisions and products, and helping with decisions to manage
risk exposure. Go to www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu and click on FAST Tools. There is also good information at the “Finance” link.
Greater Hickory Metro Business Development Network. An informative website put together by an affiliation of business service providers. (www.growyourownbiz.com)
Your local colleges and universities. A few enterprising farmers have received valuable assistance with business planning, market research and brand development, by contacting their local schools of business, marketing, or other academic departments at colleges and universities in their area. Students often need hands-on experience in these topics, and faculty often have talents and expertise to share.
Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) has two programs of special interest to farmers developing new enterprises. The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund provides cost-share grants to farmers to assist them to develop new income generating enterprises on the farm. Also, the Farm Sustainability Program offers financial counseling services to farmers to increase the economic sustainability
of farm families in financial and disaster related crisis.
Contact: Rural Advancement Foundation International-
USA (RAFI-USA)
P.O. Box 640, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919-542-1396
www.rafiusa.org.