Introduction

Banner reads Introduction. Business models for a middle path. Collage of photos showing close-ups of people picking and holding elliptical, ridged cacao pods, and background image of cacao trees against blue sky. Cross-section of cacao pod land leaves from tree in front. Blank price tag behind.

One of the most important tools we have when finding the balance between right livelihood and enterprise viability is a business plan. It sounds more overwhelming than it is, and doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. In our case, the point of a business plan is to set ourselves up with the structures and supports we need to make thoughtful and intentional choices about what we need to do to achieve balance in our work, to give shape and substance to the path ahead, to identify where we need to focus our energy and attention so that we don’t make the sorts of short-sighted and self-serving choices that put our long-term sustainability and broader impact at risk. In this module, we’ll guide you through the process of constructing a relatively basic business plan.

Learning Objectives

In this module, learners will:

  1. Explain the usefulness of a business model in the context of agricultural enterprise viability and right livelihood.
  2. Survey basic business development tools that will help inform your business decisions.
  3. Practice using a business model canvas to define your farm’s value proposition, customer segments and sales channels.

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