To grow a successful organic farm, financial planning is just as important as crop planning! This webinar reviews the basics of financial planning for farmers. You’ll also learn about risk management tools—including crop insurance—that can help you reduce financial risk while growing your farm business.
Build your financial management toolbox! This introductory webinar will get you started (or keep you going) on the right financial track. Our speaker, Brett Melone of California FarmLink, will review:
— The basics of credit scores and how to improve or establish credit history;
— Different types of agricultural loans, and how a loan might work for you;
— Cash flow management to manage financial risk;
— How to use farm balance sheets and income statements to manage debt;
— Business structures and their implications for debt and building equity; and
— Crop insurance options for organic and diversified farms and how crop insurance can help reduce financial risk.
Come away with the knowledge you need to make sound financial decisions.
About Our Speaker
Brett Melone has served as director of lending at California FarmLink since July 2014. Prior to his current role, Melone worked as a FarmLink loan officer, and served as a member of the California FarmLink Board of Directors and Loan Committee. Melone has more than 15 years of experience supporting the business success of farmers, as well as leading non-profit organizations that serve farmers. He served as the executive director for both the Friends of MarViva Foundation and the Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) in Salinas, California. Melone is also an adjunct instructor of sustainable agriculture at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Melone has a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations, business, and Spanish from the University of San Diego. He holds a Master of Arts degree in international environmental policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
About Our Partners
California FarmLink links independent farmers and ranchers to the land and financing they need for a sustainable future.
USDA RMA: This webinar is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency (RMA), under award number RM17RMEPP522C037.