In this three-lesson course, Winifred McGee, who spent more than 30 years as a Penn State Extension farm and food business consultant and has worked with SCORE and the PA Small Business Development Centers, shows farmers how to use diversification to build a more resilient operation. She explains what diversification really means, when it is the wrong move, and the five-step process for choosing and launching a new enterprise. She then works through the two ventures farmers ask about most, adding value with a food product and agritourism, covering Pennsylvania’s four food-business paths and licensing rules, and much more.
Important Links:
PFL | A Beginning Farmer’s Guide to Growing Your Farm Business and Weeding Out Your Risk
Links from Lesson 1:
PSU Ext | Ag Alternatives
Links from Lesson 2:
Dept of Ag | Limited Food Establishment
Dept of Ag | Application Packet Limited Food Establishment
Dept of Ag | Current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPS) – Food
PDA | Commercial Food Establishment
FDA | How to Start a Food Business
PDA | Food Safety Jurisdiction Search – Interactive Map
PA Gov | Retail Food Facilities
PDA | Farmers Markets
PDA | Farmers Markets Application
PDA | Mobile Food Facility Operation Guide