Growers experimenting with production in hoop houses are looking for any tools – knowledge, skills or resources – possible to add to their toolboxes. One Project GREEEN-funded project provided them with a tool every small business needs to get on its feet – a sample business plan.
Although it may sound simple, a good business plan is essential to running a successful business, according to David Conner, assistant professor in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont. Conner, a former assistant professor and research specialist with the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University (MSU), built upon previous research to provide hoop house growers with a business plan that can be adjusted to meet their specific needs.
"John Biernbaum and Adam Montri were able to show that you can grow high quality vegetables all year round through their work with hoop houses at the MSU Student Organic Farm and on farms around Michigan," Conner explains. "They've been able to work with growers around the state through horticultural outreach. This project rounded out their work, filling the need to have some marketing and economics outreach."
Biernbaum is an MSU professor of horticulture and Montri is an outreach specialist in the MSU Department of Horticulture and for the MSU Student Organic Farm. As part of his project titled "Business Plan Development for Hoop Houses," Conner created a model plan that growers can complete using their own farm information. The plan also includes some best practices for being successful, such as marketing tips and the best crops to grow. Read more on michiganfarmer.com.