for more information, contact:

Canadian Farm Business Management Council

Suite 300, 250 City Centre Avenue

Toll free phone: 1.888.232.3262

Toll free fax: 1.800.270.8301

Web site: www.farmcentre.com

E-mail: council@cfbmc.com
FARM MANAGEMENT
Resource Guide

2008 – 2009
ABOUT US
Quick Page Guide

Marketing

Human Resources

Business Planning

Production Management

Farm Succession

Contributing Partners
Produced by CFBMC through funding from the Agriculture Policy Framework
Renewal Programs of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
 ABOUT US
About CFBMC
get to know us

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Contact Us
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INITIATIVES Managing Excellence in Agriculture Conference
leading edge conference

Canadian Farm Manager Newsletter

read our newsletter

Value Chain Management Workshops

check out our workshops

AgriSuccess Workshops
your training starts here

Agriwebinar
register today!

Marketing Caravan
check out our workshops
 INITIATIVES
Marketing Resource Website
build a marketing plan

Farm Energy Online

explore renewable energy

Farm Budget Database

over 1,500 budgets

CFBMC Speaker’s Program

speakers for your event

CBC Commentaries
comment on articles

Podcasts
listen on the go
MARKETING Marketing
Effectively moving commodities and products has always
been central to successful farming. Now, with competition
at an all-time high, marketing know-how is more important
than ever. Whether you’re just getting started, or if you’re a
seasoned pro, you’ll find valuable marketing resources here.

Marketing on the Edge: A Marketing Guide for Progressive Farmers

With food prices so low, many farms are no longer

sustainable. The solution for some has been to get larger.
But others are starting to retail their own products, doing
their own on-farm processing and diversifying into new
products or ways of production. If you are thinking about
144 pages marketing a product rather than producing a commodity,
here’s your guide to the world of marketing for farmers.

Order #: E-92 $29.00

 MARKETING
A Primer on Agri-Food Marketing: Sector Profiles and Case Studies

This publication is an introduction to marketing within the

NEW! Canadian agriculture and food industry and provides a
guide to help you develop your own marketing plan. In
addition, this publication presents an introductory profile
of the marketing issues facing 12 agricultural commodities
produced in Canada. It also presents seven marketing
case studies of unique individuals who have successfully
126 pages
established or extended their farm businesses within the
Canadian agri-food marketplace.

Order #: E-132 $29.00

Value Chain Management DVD Set

Featuring interviews with participants of eleven successful

value chains: This three disc DVD set explains the concept
of value chains in straightforward terms and provides tools
which farmers and agri-food companies can use to tackle
a rapidly changing and increasingly complex business
environment. It includes international management
experts describing lessons learnt from working around
the world with producers to develop successful value
chain initiatives.

Order #: E-131 $185.00

MARKETING Value Chain Management CD ROM

This CD ROM explains the concept of value chains in

straightforward terms and provides tools which farmers
and agri-food companies can use to tackle a rapidly
changing and increasingly complex business environment.
It includes international management experts describing
lessons learnt from working around the world with
producers to develop successful value chain initiatives. The
CD ROM includes written overviews of eleven value chain
initiatives and models that can be used to significantly
improve farmers’ competitiveness and profitability.

Order#: E-130 $49.95

Starting a Winery in Ontario

The wine industry is one of the world’s most dynamic

and intriguing industries. This handbook guides you
step-by-step through the complex process of establishing
a commercial winery in Ontario. It also gives you contact
information for organizations that can help you develop the
109 pages relationships vital to growing and marketing your business.

Order #: E-87 $35.00

 MARKETING
Value-Added Products in Agriculture

Conduct research, define your product and target your

customers with the help of this effective management
tool. This step-by-step booklet includes case studies to
help you identify the right market for your product.

199 pages

Order #: E-83 $29.00

So You Want To Hold a Festival?

Community festivals and events are among the fastest-

growing industries in North America. Even small festivals
have become big business, and require a high level of
professionalism. This guide offers a helpful, comprehensive
how-to approach to festival planning. Understand the steps
132 pages and issues involved in organizing festivals, to capitalize on
the potential for making your festival a successful tourist
attraction and major visitor destination.

Order #: E-72 $29.00

HUMAN RESOURCES Human Resources
Finding and recruiting qualified employees and managing
them is not always easy. Human resources play a key role in
meeting business objectives. This section contains resources
to facilitate human resources management.

Farming with Neighbours

Written in consultation with producers across Canada, this

book is full of practical tips on how to develop and maintain
effective, harmonious relationships with neighbours, the
government and the media.

156 pages

Order #: E-60 $25.00

 HUMAN RESOURCES
Case Studies in Agribusiness

Students will gain new insight into agribusiness across

the nation with this bilingual DVD collection of 13 case
studies that describe the skills and characteristics often
associated with successful entrepreneurs. The lives and
occupations of a variety of Canadian agribusiness people
are profiled, highlighting thriving operations in ranching,
dairy, greenhouse production, market produce, sugar beets,
sheep, pork, buffalo, cash cropping, potatoes, eggs and
wine production. An excellent resource for educators.

Order #: E-46-C $19.95

Managing People on Your Farm

Recruitment, supervision, motivation and discipline: it’s all

covered in this publication, which can be used to help
owners, managers and supervisors achieve sound human
resource management. With first-hand accounts of how
effective management produced tremendous results –
and how not understanding basic labour principles caused
121 pages significant problems – Managing People on Your Farm is
a complete resource.

Order #: E-21 $29.00

HUMAN RESOURCES Managing People on Your Farm – Second Edition (DVD)

Humour and helpful advice are used in this engaging

video/DVD to provide practical solutions for sound human
resources management. Ideal for educators in a classroom
setting, you’ll see first-hand accounts of how to deal
with labour challenges farmers face every day, including
recruitment, supervision, motivation and discipline.

DVD: Order #: E-19-DVD (bilingual) $29.00

Business Planning

BUSINESS PLANNING
It has been clearly shown that business success is tied to
sound financial management. The tools in this section will
help you better analyze your business results and make
strategic and informed decisions. Our resources cover all
your farm-planning needs.

Building Effective Farm Management Systems

This guidebook helps family farm businesses implement

proven strategies for managing people, promoting
teamwork, and assuring successful transition of the
farm. Developed in workbook format, the guidebook
leads users systematically through implementation of key
271 pages management applications. The guidebook also includes
23 application template files on a CD.

Order#: E-106 $185.00

BUSINESS PLANNING Farm Business Planning: Understanding, Preparing and Using!

Farm business plans are critical when meeting with

investors, lenders and business partners. This book will
show you how to create all the necessary elements: The
business profile, the operational plan, the marketing plan,
the human resource plan and the financial plan. Included
is a CD-ROM packed with valuable examples of actual
81 pages business plans and templates endorsed by many national
lending institutions.

Order # E120 $29.00

Knowledge Guide – Best Management Practices of Leading Farmers

The Best Management Practice project is based on the

concept that solutions to the ongoing farm crisis may
come from “leading farmers”. These leading farmers are
fundamentally good managers, market focused and excel
in management and many soft skills. The key question is
“What do these top farmers have in common?” We believe
50 pages
they have some “best management practices”.

Order # E118 $20.00

 BUSINESS PLANNING
Managing Market Risk

Managing market risk has never been more important for

farmers than it is now. And it’s vital for farm managers to
have a good understanding of the risk management tools
that are available. “Managing Market Risk” is an at-home
study guide that will provide a good, basic understanding
of futures, options and cash markets. Clear examples of
186 pages each along with definitions of terminology are provided.

Order #: E-47 $29.00

Managing Farm Business Risk

In today’s agricultural economy, governments, creditors

and even the public expect farmers to take an active role
in managing their business risk. This publication provides
a practical tool for farmers to plan and respond to risks
in production, marketing, public policy, human resources,
the legal arena and financing.
76 pages
Available as a free download on farmcentre.com

Order#: E-96 $29.00

BUSINESS PLANNING Ontario Farm Record Book

Good records are the foundation of higher profits and

money management, but are often the most neglected
chore. The “Ontario Farm Record Book” lets you organize,
review and utilize your records with greater efficiency than
102 pages ever. This comprehensive, practical publication is simple
to use, yet complete enough to offer financial data for tax
purposes, for credit and for farm business analysis.

Provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Order # E-23 $20.00

Farm Financial Records: A Guide to Managing for Success

Managing is a complex process that can be approached

in different ways. This guide approaches management as
a four-step process - planning, organizing, directing and
controlling. This guide will help you, as a farm manager,
96 pages to get started with good financial records. It will also help
you understand what your farm might be telling you in
order to make better and informed decisions.

Order #: E-112 $25.00

 BUSINESS PLANNING
Cultivating Agritourism: Tools and Techniques for Building Success

This publication can help farmers and ranchers evaluate,

plan and manage successful agritourism business
opportunities. It can assist communities and commercial
organizations understand how to benefit from agritourism
development in their regions. Each of the thirteen chapters
in this publication contains practical management
230 pages information, as well as case studies that highlight
agritourism management practices across Canada.

Order# E-114 $29.00

Building Added Value through Farm Diversification

Many businesses are exploring diversification into new

enterprises or the addition of value to existing enterprises
to create value to both the consumer and the farm
business. This book is a journey along the diversification
pathway that explores the opportunities of value adding
by a farm business. It provides examples of successful
117 pages farm business ventures across Canada and draws on the
experience of entrepreneurs to assist and guide you.

Order #: E-113 $29.00

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT Production Management
Markets change, consumers change, you change. Farming is
anything but static, and when you need advice on entering into
exciting new ventures, consult CFBMC’s resources. They’re
designed to help you make the best decisions possible for a
healthy bottom line.

Agricultural Crop Converter Calculator: ACC 440

Invented on-farm by Aikens Enterprises, this one of a kind

patented instrument will assist with you with the everyday
tasks of making conversions between bushels, tonnes
and pounds. The calculator contains the conversion
factors for the nineteen most popular agricultural crops.
The converter doubles as a calculator and comes with a
protective plastic lid. It is simply a must for farmers.

Order #: E119 $20.00

 PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank

The fuel of the future may be hidden where few have

thought to look – in farmer’s fields. This publication
focuses on using vegetable waste oil as a cheap and
readily available source of biofuel. It comes with concise,
easy to understand instructions for running a diesel engine
on vegetable oil. Thorough, plain-language writing means
162 pages you don’t have to be a chemist or engineer to understand
how this alternative energy process works.

Order #: E-98 $35.00

Organic Livestock Handbook – Second Edition

A helpful and practical guide for livestock producers

who are looking for information on organic management
practices related to animal husbandry. The handbook,
which is written by the Canadian Organic Growers,
covers material on certifying bodies, suppliers, organic
management practices, management tools and specific
179 pages
case studies of different types of livestock operations.
Great for experienced livestock producers and for those
who are considering introducing livestock to their farms.

Order #: E-86 $30.00

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT Introduction to Certified Organic Farming

Whether you are new to organic farming or are one of the

growing number of people working in the organic food
system, his comprehensive resource is a must-have. It
outlines the basic elements of certified organic farming and
the organic food system in Canada, while providing current
information on certification and conversion steps, soil, crop
201 pages and livestock management, processing and marketing.

Manual: Order #: E-59 $29.00

Introduction to Certified Organic Farming DVD

The organic food industry has become one of the

most lucrative niche markets in North America. This
comprehensive DVD will show you how to take advantage
of this growing demand. Learn what requirements are
involved to become a certified organic farmer, how to
avoid common mistakes and how an existing farm can be
converted to an organic system.

DVD: Order #: E-59-DVD (bilingual) $29.00

 PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Organic Field Crop Handbook – Second Edition

The Canadian Organic Growers have put together what

could be the definitive guide to growing organic crops
in Canada. In the second edition of the “Organic Field
Crop Handbook”, learn about the principles and methods
of organic farming along with helpful information about
fertility, crop rotations and field crops that can be grown
292 pages
organically. A valuable resource for both the beginner and
the seasoned veteran.

Order #: E-85 $40.00

FARM SUCCESSION Farm Succession
Experts call succession planning one of agriculture’s most
important issues. Every day, millions of dollars of farm
families’ assets trade hands and someday, your assets will
be among them. Let CFBMC help you enter the process with
clear thoughts and vision, by understanding how to manage
this inevitable change.

Managing the Multi-Generational Family Farm

Includes bonus Interactive Farm Transfer Tool!

This revised manual examines the important issue of

succession planning and helps enhance relations between
family members who must work together to manage
their farm.
233 pages

Order #: E-03 $29.00

 FARM SUCCESSION
Working Together…“Case Studies Report”

Designed for farm families and their advisors, ”Working

Together“ follows a farm family in the transfer of their farm.
The essential legal, tax and financial ramifications are all
addressed as is the important consideration of human
dynamics. Written under the direction of five experienced
farm succession experts, ”Working Together“ is a must
290 pages have reference for every farm family and advisor.

Order #: E-99 $29.00