AgBiz Planner Online Course

AgBiz Planner Program: Online Courses for Young, Beginning, Small and Veteran Farmers

Farmers interested in diving deeper than our one-day AGAware workshop can complete the Farm Credit University AgBiz Planner online program to sharpen their farm business finance skills. The program is designed for YBS and/or Veteran individuals who are operating a farm and interested in a deep dive into farm financial documents, management and business planning. Participants also have the opportunity to create a business plan specifically for their farming operation. 

How to Sign Up for AgBiz Program

Applications for the Fall 2026 AgBiz program will open soon. For additional information call Heather Brannen at 912-764-9091 or email Heather.Brannen@AgSouthFC.com

How It Works

After you have been accepted, there are a few components of the program:

  1. Self-guided Online AgBiz Planner Course – Participants are able to work through 10 modules at their own pace over the 13-week program period.
  2. Live Virtual Calls - The program brings participants together virtually on live calls each month with a kick-off call in Sept, check in discussions in Oct. and Nov., and Graduation call in December. 
  3. Business Plan - Participants will create a Business Plan as part of the program that can be used to grow their farm operation into the future.
  4. Lender Mentor - Each Participant will have an AgSouth Lender serving as their mentor to ask questions, review the business, and offer advice. 

What Is the Timeline?

  1. Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Virtual Program Kickoff with selected participants 
  2. September – December 2025 - Self-guided online modules
  3. Tuesday, October 20, 2026  - Virtual program call (Module 1-5 Discussion)
  4. Tuesday, November 17, 2026 - Virtual program call (Module 6-9 Discussion)
  5. Tuesday, December 15, 2026 -  Virtual Program Graduation

Online Module Overview

AgBiz Planner for Established YBS Farmers

The AgBiz Planner Course helps established YBS and/or Veteran farmers in learning how to better manage and grow their farming operation. There are 10 online modules that each take 1-2 hours to complete. The course will also take you through the process of building a strategic business plan for your farm.

Online Modules
  1. Megatrends of Agriculture                
  2. Strategic Business Planning
  3. Preparing for Your Lender
  4. Constructing a Balance Sheet
  5. Constructing an Income Statement & Cash Flow Projections
  6. Understanding Lending Decisions
  7. Farm Business Management Factors & Benchmarks
  8. Growth & Transition Management
  9. Personal Financial Management
  10. Communications, Ethics, & Leadership
Application Selection

We will select 10 applications for AgBiz Planner. An application may be 1 or 2 people. Spouses and business partners are highly encouraged to participate! A spouse or business partner may be included as the co-applicant on the application. If chosen, an applicant/co-applicant pair counts as 1 accepted application.   

Program Costs

Each accepted application (1 or 2 people) will pay $250. Upon program completion, AgSouth will reimburse $150 of the $250 applicant tuition fees. Final investment per application is $100.

Cost and reimbursement breakdown:

  • Total tuition for Farm Credit University AgBiz Planner Course is $500.
  • Each accepted application will pay $250.
  • AgSouth will pay remaining $250.
  • AgSouth will reimburse participants $150 once they have completed the online portion of the course and submitted their final business plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the program? 

Our goal is to assist Young, Beginning, Small (YBS), and/or Veteran farmers in becoming more successful business people through knowledge of the marketplace, financial, and business management topics. We hope this value-added service helps all farmers, not just current customers, better understand the lending process. Through the program, we hope all participants can build a relationship with assigned Farm Credit lenders through a mentor-based approach to learning. 

What is the format of the AgBiz Courses? 

The program is a blend of live virtual calls and self-guided online sessions to span the period of 13 weeks. The program kicks off with a a live call, followed by a few weeks for participants to complete a series of online, self-guided sessions. We recommend completing one of the modules each week. Each month there will be a live check-in call for discussion and questions. Participants will also be paired with an AgSouth Lender to serve as their mentor.

Who can participate?

The AgBiz program is for Young, Beginning, Small and/or Veteran Farmers. They will either be the primary decision maker or have major influence in decisions involving their farming operation. Participants must live and farm in one of the counties serviced by AgSouth in Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina. It is not required that applicants are a customer of AgSouth Farm Credit, but must be from with AgSouth's territory.

YBS and Veteran Definition:

  • A young farmer is 35 years of age or younger
  • A beginning farmer has 10 or fewer years of farming, ranching or aquatic agricultural experience
  • A small farmer generates less than $350,000 in annual gross agricultural or aquatic sales
  • A farmer who is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States