Urban Ag for Southern Californians (March 2015)

Finances Organizing )inances is a necessary part of any urban ag project. Budgeting for a garden/ farm will be determined based on your location, what plants you plan to grow, and if you are producing food for yourself or for sale. The accounting software that works well and is easy to use for people new to business is “Quickbooks basic”, available on PC and UNIX. U.S. Small Business Administration This article discusses how to build and use a business budget. https://www.sba.gov/blogs/how-‐build-‐and-‐use-‐business-‐budget-‐thats-‐useful-‐all-‐year-‐ long Creating an Urban Ag Business: If you decide to make your urban ag project into a business enterprise, here are some strategies for getting started: -‐First, see if there’s a market or a demand for this product or service. Assess what is unique about your product or services and how you are going to market it and get customers. -‐Second, draw up a business plan. Prepare for initial start up costs as well as unforeseen necessities. Be sure to assess your cost of materials like tools and seeds, as well as labor and marketing. -‐Third, be open to change as you uncover your weaknesses in order to develop a more resilient business.

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