Country farm and business management is the process of planning every aspect of an agricultural business with a view to maximising profits and income. It is a complicated task that requires a wide range of economic, technical and human conceptual and analytical skills. The difficulty is that the result of any action is contingent upon conditions that cannot be predicted or guaranteed and requires a certain amount of flexibility to deal with uncertainty.
Management of business and farming are two different things and the farmer who succeeds must be able think about both sides. For instance, can plan production on the basis of the market price and climate conditions, while at the same time being a good financial manager, planning how to raise funds for the enterprise in the future, and monitoring progress towards the goals set.
It is also crucial that the owner has sufficient income from sources other than farm to cover operating costs and to provide a buffer against unexpected emergencies or events. Additionally the proper public facilities should be provided to accommodate visitors and customers (e.g. Parking and signage, education and customer support are all vital.
Many ranches and farms offer an educational experience for their guests. This includes information about production of food and fiber as well as the management of land and the historical background of farming. This can be a wonderful way to attract and retain customers and is often very well-received by the public. You may be able to receive funding from a state or local organization to help pay the costs of education.