Welcome to Exploring the Small Farm Dream
Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Is Starting and Agricultural Business Right for You? is designed to help aspiring farmers learn what it takes to start and mange a commercial agricultural businesses, and decide whether this is a path they really want to take.
Take a course or purchase the workbook from NESFI’s Bookstore to work through on your own. Created as a decision-making tool, Explorer can help you establish the clear vision and goals you will need to guide a new agricultural venture. It will help you identify and assess personal motivations, business and farming skills, and available resources. It will help you clarify values. The goal of Explorer is to help you decide whether starting an agricultural business is right for you, and-based on that decision-to help you plan practical next steps.
Click on the presentation at the bottom of the page for an overview of the Explorer decision-making process.
Whether you are using the workbook in a class or on your own, you will find resources on this website to help in your research.
Sample some of the worksheets:
Using Exploring the Small Farm Dream On Your Own
If you decide on the self-study option, the success of your exploration will depend to a very large degree on your own initiative. Exploring with a partner or a peer group is one good way to keep you motivated and on track. Plan to make good use of the supporting resources offered on this website. NESFI program staff is always ready to answer questions and lend a hand. Please use the downloadable Self-Study Evaluation Form at left to let us know how the self-study option has worked for you.
Exploring the Small Farm Dream – Presentation