AgBiz Program

AgBiz Program for Young, Beginning, Small and Veteran Farmers

2023 applications are now closed.

Our committee is reviewing applications and will notify recipients soon. For additional information call Heather Brannen at 912-764-9091 or email Heather.Brannen@AgSouthFC.com 

About AgBiz Program

Farmers interested in diving deeper than our one-day AGAware workshop can complete the Farm Credit University AgBiz two-part program to sharpen their farm business finance skills. There are two separate courses designed for farmers at different stages in their career. The program culminates with an in-person networking and educational two-day conference. 

Part 1 - Online Course (choose one)

  • AgBiz Basics – designed for YBS and/or Veteran individuals who are thinking about, or in the beginning stages of starting a farming operation
  • AgBiz Planner – designed for YBS and/or Veteran individuals who are already farming. This course is more in-depth and offers participants the opportunity to create a business plan specifically for their farming operation

Part 2 - AgBiz Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina

After completing the online e-learning courses, participants are invited to attend the exclusive AgBiz Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina where they can network with other participants across the east coast and hear from engaging speakers on farm business management, agriculture economic outlook, and more.

Are You a YBS or Veteran Farmer?

YBS & 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 $250,000 in annual gross agricultural or aquatic sales
  • A farmer who is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States

AgBiz Planner Application Deadline

The 2023 AgBiz Program Application is now closed. 

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 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 7 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 pay for AgBiz Conference hotel, meals, and other fees. Participants will be responsible for transportation to the conference.
  • AgSouth will reimburse participants $150 once they have completed the online portion of the course, attended the AgBiz Conference, and submitted their final business plans.

AgBiz Basics Application Deadline

The 2023 AgBiz Program Application is now closed. 

AgBiz Basics for New YBS Farmers

The AgBiz Basics Course helps new YBS and/or Veteran farmers in launching, growing, managing, and transitioning a farm to a business. There are 4 online modules that each take 1-2 hours to complete. AgBiz Basics also helps prepare participants to meet with a lender.

Online Modules
  1. Side by Side with Your Lender – Financial Documentation, Planning, & Goal Setting
  2. Do you cash flow? Cash Flow Planning – Putting Your Production Plan in Numbers
  3. What are you worth financially? – Business & Personal Balance Sheets
  4. Did you make a profit? – Income Statements
Application Selection

We will select 7 applications for AgBiz Basics. 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 $100. Upon program completion, AgSouth will reimburse $50 of the $100 applicant tuition fees. Final investment per application is $50.

Cost and reimbursement breakdown:

  • Total tuition for Farm Credit University AgBiz Basics Course is $200. 
  • Each accepted application will pay $100.
  • AgSouth will pay remaining $100.
  • AgSouth will pay for AgBiz Conference hotel, meals, and other fees. Participants will be responsible for transportation to the conference.
  • AgSouth will reimburse participants $50 once they have completed the online portion of the course, attended the AgBiz Conference, and submitted their final business plans.

AgBiz Program FAQ's

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? 

Both courses are a blend of in-person and online sessions. The program kicks off with a couple of live webinars, followed by a few months for participants to complete a series of online, self-guided sessions. Both courses conclude with a 2-day in-person AgBiz Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina for graduates to network and apply what they learned in a group setting. AgSouth covers the cost of the AgBiz Conference including one hotel room for one night, all meals, and speaker fees. All participants are responsible for is their own transportation to the conference.

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 Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina. It is not required that applicants are a customer of AgSouth Farm Credit.

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
What is the timeline of this program?

Friday, September 1, 2023 - Virtual Program Kickoff with selected participants
Wednesday, September 6 2023 - Virtual webinar with ag economist Dr. David Kohl discussing Economic Shockwaves: Challenges & Opportunities
September – December 2023 - Self-guided online modules
January 10-11, 2024 - AgBiz Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina

 

Are You a YBS or Veteran Farmer?

YBS & 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 $250,000 in annual gross agricultural or aquatic sales
  • A farmer who is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States