Monthly Archives: August 2016

Business Planning Wallpaper? The Business Model Canvas

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The Business Model Canvas is going up on barn walls and office doors throughout CaptureVermont. UVM Extension Forest Business Educator Chris Lindgren began using this business planning tool with loggers and mill owners over the past year. This is the perfect resource for farmers and forest professionals that want a better visualization of key business areas as they work on their business strategies.

A manager can make notes on the canvas, draw arrows or use post-it sticky notes that can be reshuffled in real time as the business changes. The Business Model Canvas is a nice alternative to other business planning templates that are based on preparing a multi-page narrative document.

The Business Model Canvas and more resources can be found at Strategyzer

 

 

New Maple Benchmark Report Highlights Top Profit Strategies

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UVM Extension has published the 2014 Maple Benchmark report. This report displays detailed financial measures for maple producers from 2,500 taps to over 50,000 taps. Go to our Maple Benchmark page to download reports and learn more about the program.

Analysis of the 2014 season shows that top profit producers have a variety of ways to reach financial success with a maple business. Key findings reveal:

  • Average Cost of Production for Operating Expenses average $2.09 per pound or $9.15 per tap across 18 participating businesses
  • Full Economic Cost of Production (with depreciation and a valuation of owner management) averages $3.75 per pound or $15.71 per tap.
  • Top profit producers achieved high production income in relation to their investments. This comes from a combination of high yields and/or higher-paying market prices. In many cases the top profit producers are NOT low cost producers but they are able to generate optimum income based on their expenses.

Download the 2014 Maple Benchmark for all the details.

UVM Extension is Hiring a Farm Business Educator

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Job Posting: Extension Farm Business Educator

The University of Vermont Extension seeks a Farm Business Educator to deliver business management education to owners and managers of commercial farms. The position will focus on business analysis, financial planning and outreach education programs.  A Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture, economics or a closely related field and at least 3 years of experience in agricultural development is required.  The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity of the institution and deliver high quality outreach programs to a broad audience. Applicants are encouraged to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this goal. The position is located in Berlin Vermont. This is a grant funded position that starts at 0.80 FTE with the option to increase over time.  For further information or to apply, search for posting # S796PO at our website: www.uvmjobs.com .