VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1
Whole Farm Planning
February, 2014
Whole Farm Planning is a comprehensive approach to farm decision-making. It brings
the entire farm and all its resources into the thought process. Its purpose is to help
farmers achieve their goals, while at the same time enhancing natural resources and the
environment. It is based on the concept that a farmer can make better decisions if he or
she has all relevant information about available resources, alternative solutions and
potential impacts. A whole farm plan is simply a better tool to help farmers achieve
their goals.
Rural Entrepreneurship &
Business Development Update
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, LIFE AND NATURAL SCIENCES
ESSENTIAL GOALS FOR A WHOLE FARM PLAN
GOAL #1– Improved Farm Profitability. Whole Farm Planning is different from past
approaches because improving farm profits is front and center. Where environmental
concerns are the driving force, the process should help farmers find solutions that
actually save money, increase profits, simplify the work, or otherwise meet farmer
family goals. At a minimum, planning should maximize environmental benefits at the
least cost. To the extent that whole farm planning can demonstrate a positive effect on
farm finances, the demand form other farmers to participate is likely to grow.
GOAL #2 - Reduced Water Pollution. The main driving force behind interest in whole
farm planning is the need to reduce nonpoint source pollution from agriculture.
Agriculture is recognized as the largest source of nonpoint pollution in the U.S. today.
Since farmers need to pull it all together and look for the simplest, most cost-effective
solutions, whole farm plans could be the best means to achieve cleaner water supplies.
GOAL #3 - Reduced Soil Erosion. For a half century the NRCS (formerly called the
Soil Conservation Service) has offered technical assistance and financial incentives to
farmers. Many farmers developed and implemented conservation compliance plans for
their highly erodible acres, as a precondition of receiving U.S. commodity program
benefits.
GOAL #4 - Improved Management of Nutrients, Including Manure and Fertilizer.
Nitrogen is a necessary soil nutrient for crops, but its easy solubility in water causes
any over application to lead to pollution of drinking water. Phosphorus is another
necessary nutrient that causes problems when an excess runs into surface water and
leads to algae growth. Bacteria and viruses from manure are also a concern when they
contaminate drinking water supplies. The solutions are similar: use soil tests, apply at
agronomic rates, and prevent runoff.
GOAL #5 Improved Pest Management- Pesticides that move from the intended field,
whether by runoff, leaching or volatilization, are an economic loss to the farmer and a
threat to the environment. Farmers and their families face additional health risks due to
daily exposure and accidents Whole Farm Planning can help farmers consider several
approaches to improving pest management to reduce or eliminate pesticide risks. The
first step is to make sure that good housekeeping practices prevents accidents and
Order of steps needed for a successful Whole Farm Plan
Always monitor your progress and think on different alternative plans to reach your goals!
Small Farms Research Center, Alabama A&M University
4900 Meridian Street
James I. Dawson Building, Room 219
Normal, AL
35762
Small Farms Research Center Background. The Small Farms Research Center was developed to assist small farmers with limited resources in Alabama’s underserved communities. The center was first
developed in 2000 to assist minorities, especially women, African
Americans and underserved individuals improve their farm management practices, given ones condition and resources. The mission of
the Center and the Small Farmers Outreach program is to assist all
small and limited resources farms effectively deal with risk management and food safety issues and provide them with informational sessions. The Center has also expanded its outreach efforts to meet the
needs of entrepreneurs and businessman. The center is located at Alabama A&M University in the Dawson Building. The center specializes
in following areas
Marketing and Business Plans
-Record keeping and Loan Application
-Identify alternative enterprises
-Personal Management
-Legal Issues
-Finances
-International Business and Procurement
-Accounting Issues
-Taxes
-Business Development
-Conducting seminars on Government programs and other issues
For more information about us give us a call at (256) 372-4970 and
1-866-858-4970.
Website: www.aamu.edu/smallfarmers