Business | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: September 6, 2023

Trending Enterprises in Maryland

Updated: July 11, 2022

Using a Business Organization Structure to Limit Your Farm's Liability (EB-422)

Authors: Ashley Newhall - Paul Goeringer

In Maryland, 82.7 percent of agricultural operations conduct business as sole proprietorships (Census of Agriculture, 2012). As agriculture continues to evolve, however, producers should consider investigating all types of business organization structures for their operations to limit liability and provide additional forms of capital. This publication covers the major forms of business organizations and how they could potentially be utilized on the farm. Authors: Ashley Newhall and Paul Goeringer; Title: Using a Business Organization Structure to Limit Your Farm’s Liability (EB-422)

Updated: February 4, 2022

Bringing the Farm to School

The Maryland Department of Agriculture in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) and the Maryland State Department of Education will conduct an USDA Farm to School Producer Training for Maryland producers interested in selling local food to Maryland’s school districts and eligible providers. Learn how to sign up and participate in this new training for agricultural producers.

Updated: July 29, 2021

Writing A Marketing Plan

Imagine visiting New York City for the first time and trying to find your way around without a map. You might find some of the places you want to visit, but not without a lot of detours and lost time. The time you could have spent visiting sites and enjoying the city. This is exactly what you're doing with your business if you don't have a marketing plan.

Updated: June 8, 2021

The Reluctant Entrepreneur

In November, I had the opportunity to give a presentation through the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ (AGNR) new Agricultural Careers and Entrepreneurship (ACE) Virtual Center webinar series. The presentation was titled, Entrepreneurs-Born or Made?

Updated: June 4, 2021

Launching, Refining, or Growing Your Farm Business- MREDC has Answers

The Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center, is a virtual rural business development center of the University of Maryland Extension presenting the latest and most successful business development innovations and support for Maryland's agriculture and food systems enterprises. The mission of the University of Maryland Extension’s Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center (MREDC) is to improve rural prosperity in Maryland.

Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center (MREDC)

Updated: June 4, 2021

Can SMART Ever Be Dumb??

December is often a “Slam” month for most direct marketers. Holiday sales, year-end inventories to conduct, annual profit projections, and the final push of multiple last quarter marketing initiatives that were often launched even before Halloween. The major goal is to end the year in the financial black. Other goals now take a back seat.

Updated: March 24, 2021

Assessing Your Farm Business Plan

Nowhere does the old adage “failing to plan, is planning to fail” more applicable than when preparing to launch a new business enterprise or service company. Regardless of the greatness of your product, unless you carefully plan in advance how to operate a profitable, sustainable business, your business success will be limited. The goal of the Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center is to help you succeed in that planning process and this is why we have launched a new tool, Assessing Your Farm Business Plan.

Business plan chalkboard with text: communication, teamwork, strategy, goals, results, risks, team, costs, project, vision, tasks, analysis, development, quality, execute, planning, control, organize, and plan.

Updated: February 4, 2021

Turning on Your Specialty Food Business

Authors: Ginger S. Myers

You need to formulate a business plan and consider how your business will be organized.

Updated: February 3, 2021

Turning on Your Idea: Starting a Specialty Food business Requires Careful Planning

Authors: Ginger S. Myers

Successful specialty food processing requires careful planning, dedication, and skilled management. Food businesses must comply with a number of complex and often confusing federal, state and local regulations. This report includes questions that individuals should consider before starting a small food processing business. The critical aspects of market research—gathering information about markets or customers --are described. Market research is an important step in preparing to start a business and in maintaining competitiveness. This report also provides valuable information and resources on county and state local and state rules, regulations and agencies that will help specialty food business owners get started.