BU-6985-S 1998

WholeFarm Planning:
Combining Family,Profit, and Environment
.-- --------

~...~
-------

by DavidMulla,LesEverett, andGigiDiGiacomo

,
-~~
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Extension
is E<RV .. I CE

Introducingthe SustainableAgricultureInformationExchange
This publication is part of a new series of informational materials developed through the Sustainable Agriculture Information Exchange. The Information Exchange works to bridge the gap between the need for timely, practical information related to sustainable agriculture and the resources and information that already exist; to identify gaps in research and education and help direct funding and support to address them; and to promote education and discussion of issues relevant to the sustainability of agriculture. In 1995 the Minnesota State Legislature recognized the need for information related to sustainable agriculture and appropriated funding to establish the Information Exchange and to develop informational materials. This series of publications is a result of that funding. In addition, the Information Exchange serves as a clearinghouse of sustainable agriculture information and materials in Minnesota and is accessible to the public by phone (toll-free), fax, e-mail, or World Wide Web to respond to individual requests for information. All of the Information Exchange's publications are developed by teams and reviewed by individuals that include farmers, researchers, Extension educators, other agricultural professionals, arid members of the broader agricultural community. Involving the users of the materials in their development and review helps ensure that they are applicable and user-friendly. The Information Exchange is part of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA), a partnership between the University of Minnesota - College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences and the Sustainers' Coalition, a group of individuals and community-based nonprofit organizations. Information Exchange activities are guided by an advisory committee that includes farmers, researchers, and other agricultural community interests and are carried out in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. New topics in this series are continually
Agroforestry

. . . . . .

under development,

including:

Alternative
Business

swine production
planning

systems

Integrated soil management Marketing Organic Certification of Crop Production

in Minnesota

t
I

For more information on this series, the Information Exchange, MISA, or to request individualized information on questions related to sustainable agriculture, please contact us. Debra Elias, Associate Program Director and Series Editor Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture 411 Borlaug Hall 1991 Buford Circle St. Paul, MN 55108-10 13 612/625-8235 toll-free 800/909-MISA (6472) fax 612/625-1268 [email protected] http://www.misa.umn.edu

........

Acknowledgments Authors
David Mulla, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota Les Everett, Center for Agricultural Impacts on Water Quality, University of Minnesota Gigi DiGiacomo, Consultant (Farmer Profiles) Project Team Members Jim Anderson, Center for Agricultural Impacts on Water Quality, University of Minnesota Lowell Busman, University of Minnesota Extension Service Tom Coffield, Farmer Larry Johnson, Consultant and Representing the Land Stewardship Project

John Lamb, The Minnesota Project

Jill MacKenzie, The Minnesota Project Wayne Monsen, Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program, Agriculture Chuck Schwartau, University of Minnesota Extension Service Laurence Svien, Natural Resources Conservation Service Jim VanBerPol, Farmer Beth Waterhouse, The Minnesota Project

Minnesota

Department

of

Series Editor Debra Elias, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

.Design and Layout

Jim Kiehne, Kiehne Graphics Reviewers Dennis Neffendorf, Natural Resources Jerry Perkins, Farmer Dennis Rabe, Farmer Dave Serfling, Farmer Kent Thiesse, University of Minnesota Ron Tobkin, Farmer Conservation Service

Extension

Service

Funding for this project approved Ch. 220 Sec. 7, Subd. 2.

by the Minnesota

Legislature,

1995 Minnesota

Laws,

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Contents
I. Introduction 3 4 II. The Four Steps in Whole Farm Planning III. Farm Planning Tools Holistic Management PLANETOR FARM *A*SYST FIELD*A*SYST

7 11 11 14
?

NRCS Comprehensive Farm Plan

Dutch Yardstick AgriSource FINPACK Manure Application

14
17 17 18 18

Planner

(MAP)

Farmer Profiles Holistic Management: FARM*A*SYST: Jerry, NRCS: Jim and Teresa FINPACK, MAP: Mark N. Visual Comparison Guides

Jim and LeeAnn VanDerPol Roger, and Mark Bechtold Heaser and Roxanne Sauter

8 12 15 19 22

V. Conclusion: Putting It All Together Getting Started Contact Information for Planning Tools Additional Resources for Planning

25 27 29

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Whole FarmPlanning: Combiningamily, rofit, F P andEnvironment

I. Introduction
Minnesota farmers are facing tough questions: Should I expand my livestock operation? Would direct marketing or a value-added enterprise work with my farm? How can we bring a son or daughter into the business? How can I spend more tifTu:i ith my family? w How can we increase community respectfor ourfarm and agriculture?
After struggling with these questions and others, several Minnesota farm families heard about Whole Farm Planning and used the concepts to alter their farm management, bringing more financial stability, improved stewardship, and a better quality of life for their families. They have discovered what most business managers already know: It is difficult to succeed without goals and a plan of how to get there. Whole Farm Planning,

. . . .

also known as Comprehensive

Farm Planning,

can help you:

Develop a vision for your farm ten, twenty, or fifty years into the future. Improve the profitability Build respect and efficiency of your farm operations. for your work in protecting the environment. from the community

Make the farm a safe and healthy place for you and your family.

This publication describes Whole Farm Planning and some tools that are available to assist with your planning needs. It discusses strengths and weaknesses of these tools, and lists people who can provide assistance and training in their use.

What Is Whole Farm Planning?

According to the Minnesota Whole Farm Planning Working Group, Whole Farm Planning is a four-step process, which can be used by the farm family to balance the quality of life they desire with the farm's resources, the need for production and profitability, and long-term stewardship.l How is Whole Farm Planning different from the planning you already do on your farm? Most farmers do some kind of planning on their farms nearly every day. Whole Farm Planning is distinct from other farm planning approaches because it ties all the planning you do together for the whole farm and bases it on the long-term vision your family has for itself and the farm in the future. It is farmer controlled, voluntary, and flexible. The plans are owned by the farmer, and the information contained in the plans is confidential. Benefits of Whole Farm Planning include maintaining or improving profitability while enhancing sustainability. Whole Farm Planning can also lead to protection and enhancement of the quality of soil, water, and other natural resources on and near the farm. More importantly, the planning process helps the farm family define long- and short-term goals, which lead to an improved quality of life and a better relationship with the community.
Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Wlwle Farm Planning: What It Takes. 1997. Whole Farm Planning Working Group. Minnesota Department of Agriculture, St. Paul. MN. p. 3.

II. The Four Steps in Whole Farm Planning

Whole Farm Planning 1. Setting goals 2. 3. 4. Making an inventory Monitoring on-farm and assessment progress of farm resources Developing and implementing an action plan toward goals involves four steps:

Step 1: Setting Goals

The fIrst step in Whole Farm Planning term vision for: typically begins with developing goals and a long-

These three goals correspond to three resource Human and social resources; Environmental and natural resources; Economic and fInancial resources. and

. . . . . .

The quality of life you want for you and your family within the community; Your vision for the future of your farm; and How your farm enterprise will provide the income and living environment areas: you need.

In this step, you and your family need to jointly discuss goals for all three resource areas outlined above.

and develop short- and long-term

Quality of life goals might include issues involving health and safety, education, opportunities to try out new skills and enterprises, fInding ways to take more time for the family, and reducing the stress of work. Together, you and your family can work out goals that will make farming enjoyable and rewarding for all the family. Examples of goals for your long-range vision of the farm might include wooded or prairie areas around streams that benefit wildlife and improve water quality; windbreaks for fIelds, livestock, and buildings; and additional housing for a son or daughter entering the enterprise. Goals for how your farm will produce the income and living environment you want would include a listing of the enterprises you would like to continue, discontinue, or add to your farm, such as "a cow, calf, and feeder cattle operation," "locally marketed vegetables," or "cash crop corn, soybeans, and alfalfa." Examples of long-term goals include reducing debt, improving soil conditions, and developing a plan to pass on the farm after retirement. Some examples of short-term goals include adopting conservation tillage, diversifying the crops you produce, improving your livestock feeding system, and using a more profItable marketing strategy.

Step 2: Inventory

and Assessment

The second step in Whole Farm Planning involves inventorying and assessing your resources, including natural resources, human resources, fInancial and capital assets, and crop and livestock systems. Information needed to complete the inventory and assessment may include soil maps, soil test results, cropping and animal management histories, and
Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

fmancial data. In this process. you may identify problems with the condition of some of your important assets and their management. like soil erosion in some fields. or livestock manure stored too close to water sources. You may also find weakness in your financial or capital assets due to excessive debt, large variable costs, or depreciation. Or you may determine that your human resources. labor. or time are being used inefficiently.

Step 3: Action Plan

The third step in the process is to identify and evaluate management alternatives and to develop and implement an action plan. The number and type of alternatives identified and evaluated is up to you. However, the broader the range of alternatives you consider. the more likely you are to find options that meet your overall vision and address the human, fmancial. and environmental resource goals you laid out in Step 1. Ideas for management alternatives may come from discussions with your family. from your neighbors. from planning tools. from farm journals and Extension publications. or from agency experts. For instance, you may want to evaluate the effect that a change from a continuous cropping system to a mixed livestock-cropping system Step 1: would have on your income, quality of life. and natural Goal Setting resources such as soil and water and whether it would bring you closer to meeting your goals in all three areas. You may want to evaluate the impact of adopting soil conservation practices such as reduced tillage. or the Step 2: income possibilities of direct marketing. You might Inventory and Assessment consider the effect of different manure and chemical management alternatives on the safety of your drinking water and your family's health. as well as on profitability. As part of an action plan you could evaluate the changes Step 3: required for a family member to take time for additional

education.

,-

.
,

Develop an Action Plan

After you have evaluated your alternatives. use this information to develop your action plan. always returning to the vision and goals you identified in Step 1 to see that your action plan fits. Once you are satisfied with your plan. put it into action.

I \

"-

----

Step 4: Monitoring

Step 4: Monitoring

Progress

The final step after developing an action plan that is compatible with the goals set by you and your family is to monitor progress toward these goals. As the Whole Farm Plan is implemented. try to evaluate how the plan is working and make minor corrections and refmements as time goes by. Keep records and check your progress toward the goals you set, so you can see how your plan is working. If the work you're doing isn't helping reach your goals, or if something just isn't working out the way you expected, it's time to revisit the plan. Goals themselves may need revision with time and changes in family life.

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family. Profit. and Environment

8:

III. Farm Planning Tools

Whole Farm Planning Tools vs.
Farm Planning Tools
Many different tools and resources are available to help you move in the direction of Whole Farm Planning. Most of the tools available are not Whole Farm Planning tools in and of themselves, because they do not cover all four steps in Whole Farm Planning. Rather. they are farm planning tools, which can assist you in specific areas of farm management. When used in combination and in the context of the four Whole Farm Planning steps, these tools can provide most of the elements needed for a good Whole Farm Plan.

Descriptions

of Farm Planning

Tools

In the rest of this publication. nine farm planning tools are described and compared to assist you in selecting those that you could use in your own Whole Farm Planning process. They were selected by our project team because they are in widespread use and/or are readily availaQle in Minnesota. We have focused on those that are oriented toward forward planning, recognizing that other tools are available from public and private organizations which focus on record keeping and other tasks required in farm management. The nine farm planning tools included are:

. . . . . . . . .

Holistic Management PLANETOR

Farm*A*Syst Field *A*Syst NRCS Comprehensive Dutch Yardstick AgriSource FINPACK

Manure Application

Farm Plan

Planner

Each farm planning weaknesses relative areas. You will want ing on the strengths information for each contained in Chapter

tool is based on different philosophies and has its own strengths and to the four steps of Whole Farm Planning and the three resource to use more than one in developing your Whole Farm Plan, capitalizof each. The descriptions summarize this for each tool. Contact tool is included in its description, as well as in a comprehensive list V.

In addition to including descriptions and contact information for the farm planning tools. we have also included farmer profiles. These profiles show how farmers have used individual farm planning tools to help make decisions on specific aspects of their farms. They are not Whole Farm Planning examples, but illustrate how the farm planning tools are used and what they are best at, helping you to see how they might fit into your overall four-step Whole Farm Planning process. The outcomes in the profiles are not the same outcomes other farmers will have when using the same tools. The farmer profiles are not intended to endorse any particular outcome or farming system. The cost of each tool has not been included in the descriptions below because it will vary depending on how you obtain the tool, what situation you use it in (on your own, in a workshop. or with a consultant), and whether you have any associated costs (for example. computer expenses, travel, or lab/field tests).

.
I

I I
I I

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Table 1, in Chapter IV of this document, summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of the nine farm planning tools with regard to the four essential elements of Whole Farm Planning. The most important thing to remember is to make sure you use farm planning tools in the context of all four steps of Whole Farm Planning, with goal setting coming first. Planning and implementing actions on your farm without first setting your farm and personal goals and relating actions back to them could actually leave you further from your vision than you were when you started.

Commitment to Whole Farm Planning

Farm planning tools provide some of the structure and information necessary for a good Whole Farm Plan. They cannot, however, eliminate the time and effort required for goal setting, on-the-ground review of resources, quality records, and evaluation of alternative strategies. The amount of time each specific tool requires will vary depending on the condition of your farm records, your familiarity with using the tool, and whether you use it on your own or with the assistance of someone trained in its use. But remember, all planning takes time. It is the commitment to the Whole Farm Planning process, not specific tools, that both requires time and delivers results.

Holistic Management
Holistic Management (HM) is a comprehensive farm planning tool that addresses the farm, family, and community as an integrated whole, instead of as separate parts. This approach balances economic, environmental, and social aspects of farm and family life. The HM process begins with defining and working toward a comprehensive family. goal, including quality of life, forms of production, and a vision of the farm and community, rather than reacting to problems. This emphasis on the goal setting process is the primary strength of HM. HM is also strong in its emphasis on monitoring an action plan for progress toward goals. Farmers can use HM to evaluate risks in trying new production methods, to adjust management for changing conditions, and to consider ways of saving time, money, or personal stress. This process, when used as an early part of Whole Farm Planning activities, forms a foundation for addressing other issues, such as nutrient management, pest control, soil erosion, water quality, marketing, regulatory compliance, and other related matters. HM is not designed to recommend specific production practices or farmstead components. Instead, it is intended to provide a more confident decision-making process for all farm applications. Typically, learning HM begins with a two- or three-day workshop focusing on goal setting and financial management. This is reinforced with shorter follow-up workshops. Workshops are led by educators who have been instructed and certified by the Center for Holistic Management (10007 Luna Circle NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, Telephone: 800-654-3619, World Wide Web address http://www.igc.org/holisticmanagement). The process was developed by Allan Savory, whose book "Holistic Resource Management" is available through the Center and in many major libraries. In Minnesota, instruction is available through The Land Stewardship Project (103 Nichols Ave., Montevideo, MN 56265, Telephone: 320-269-2105) and Larry L. Johnson and Associates, Inc. (5007 FremontAvenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419-1157, Telephone: 612-825-2091).

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family. Profit. and Environment

Farmer Profile-Holistic

Management

An interview was conducted with Jim and LeeAnn VanDerPol about their experiences using Holistic Management (see accompanying text). The interview shows that with HM, the VanDerPols were very quickly able to reevaluate their family, farm, and financial goals. HM enabled them to convert from a conventional corn and soybean operation to a diversified livestock and feed crop system. This illustrates one of the main strengths of HM: It can lead participants to make significant changes in their production system and lifestyle. HM is also strong on inventorying and monitoring human and financial resources. It is weaker on inventorying natural resources and evaluating the effects of specific production practices on them. This is where HM could be used in combination with other farm planning tools in order to cover all four steps of Whole Farm Planning for all three resource areas (see Table 1).

Jim and LeeAnnVanDerPol,Chippewa County, Minnesota Livestockand feedgrain farm on 320 acres of flat glacial till soil. Used Holistic Managementto set family goals, plan a change from cash grain to mixed livestock and feedgrain production, and prepare for including a son and daughterin-law in the operation.

.
.

,~

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

'!!rz

""'1%1'''''

"rz'rz!"

''''''''''

,,,.,,,00

""'"

","'00 "

'''''''I' 0

00'0"''''

using ManageIllent."We get together each month discuss planhing and production problems that each of us is having," Jim says. "The process is comfort.,. ing and challenging."
,,:~ "'~!' ,,!~:m i:!~ i:~ I!I %I

By 1994 VanDerPols identified short-term fWancial and long-term quality of life goals, such as environmental preservation and the need to enjoy work on their farm, and were refldy 000 '" produ,~tion:!!andpff-farm-x;elateq tOo1I!"ake changes. They decided to stop renting a third of their production acreage from Jim's parents, reducing their total farm size from 480 acres to 320 acres. Jim and LeeAnn explain that the land}Vas"not needed to raise feed and that their depressed profits from cash grain sales did not justify the four-mile trip to farm this rented acreage. "We thought that we could do better by farming less land and raising more livestpck," says",Jim"I"Thi~was"our first Holistic Managem~nt decision." LeeAnn adds that this first decision not only helped them reach financial goals but allowed Jim to spend more time working with animals-an activity that Jim has always "01" enjoyed. ",
00'" 0 ,,,

The VanDerPols have since used Holistic Management goal setting and monitoring ideas to make a wide range of decisions and meet many of their ily's goals. Over a three~ year period the VanD~r-Pols t tlleir hog enterpnse trom al25 sow farrow'and feeder pig operation to an 80-sow operation that finishes out between 1,200 and 1,500 head each year. Jim and LeeAnn combine a hoop house with "Port-a-Huts" for early spring farrowing and use the Port-a-Huts alone for late spring farrowing. The hoop house is Men clearetli:'for feeder-pig finishing. Sows tllat farrow later in tile spriilg are housed in Port-a-Huts outside. At the same time, Jim and LeeAnn cut their com plantings nearly in half, converted two-thirds of their bean acreage to alfalfa and small grains, and established 55 acres of permanent pasture to accommodate their expandetilivestock production. ili:m 'I' Jim and LeeAnn have also added 110 head of sheep and 10 stocker calves to graze on acreage that is too wet to farm. "Every year we'd get the 1;ractQr and c01I!,bine stuck becat'U~e tt.'fas tQo"wet!! ort::~this'PIle pp.rt O~loti:rfarITl;!!'JiIll!!!SaY's!!!$ha1fing ~sh~,~d.I'so, we fmally decided to convert it to pasture (and use it for grazing of) lightweight animals who wouldn't punch through the soil." According to Jim and,LeeApn, as a result of these and other changes their farm has become more fmancially stable and environmentally sound. Jim and LeeAnn have reduced soil erosion through ridgetill; sold a plow, tractor, and farrowing equipment since converting to a pasture and low-input livestock system; reduced chemical fertilizer applications by spreatiing manure from their animals; anti eliminated the need to "" purchase soymeal feea supplements from their local elevator by developing and growing a balanced ration of oats, peas, and barley for their sows. "We have really increased our financial and biological diversity," says Jim. At the same time, he adds, "We've made ou:r farm a s~er place for our two"Tyear-old grandf?on to visit."
'000 0 '''0 "00

The VanDerPols have j tripled their hog enterprise over the last three years.

Meanwhile, LeeAnn has been able to pursue a personal goal identified through the Holistic Management process-she has enrolled in a Bachelor's Degree program in

~~ber~,~ at ~illlll~Cqlllm~~ty~plle~~. Th~ C01I!,lJID~tiq~q( co~pol~d ~~w-epif~ s farmworkmea.r1;s that EeeiAruils sPending less"time on tlle fa:rm. "Our son Josh [age 25] is now doing more of the work," says LeeAnn. "He started farming with us full time last year."
Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

.J

10

purposeful.

"

Jim examines his ridge-till equipment.

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

PLANETOR is an environmental and economic farm planning tool recently developed by the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota. This computer program was designed to evaluate the environmental and economic impact of alternative tillage, fertilizer, pesticide, and livestock management systems. Environmental impacts of management alternatives on soil erosion, pesticide leaching and runoff, pesticide toxicity, and nitrogen leaching and phosphorus runoff potentials are evaluated. Economic impacts of changing management systems are evaluated in terms of profitability, liquidity, and solvency. PLANETOR does not explicitly assist producers in developing long-term goals for quality of life or vision of the farm, nor does it include a process for monitoring progress toward attaining long-term goals. It also is not designed to evaluate farmstead environmental risks. The strength of PLANETOR lies in its ability to perform detailed economic and environmental evaluations of management alternatives (tillage, fertilizer, pesticide, and livestock systems) for specific farm conditions and practices. Therefore, it can be a good tool for Whole Farm Planning when used in combination with other tools that are stronger in addressing quality of life factors and when used in the context of your overall vision and goals (see Table 1). Because PLANETOR has only been recently developed, it has not yet been widely used by Minnesota producers. Typically, PLANETOR is used with the assistance of trained Extension educators or private consultants. Individual farmers who have a computer and wish to work directly with the program may also obtain the diskettes. Information about PLANETOR and how to purchase it is available at the Center for Farm Financial Management, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, 249 Classroom Office Building, 1994 Buford Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, Telephone: 800-234-1111 or 612-625-1964, World Wide Web address http://www.cffm.umn.edu

..I

..

11

FARM*A*SYST was developed to help farmers reduce the risk of contaminating drinking water supplies from activities on the farmstead. Participants use worksheets to inventory and assess the risk associated with storage and handling of chemicals and fuel, managing and storing manure and farm waste, and treating wastewater. Management options are evaluated on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being dangerous and/or illegal practices, and 4 being the safest. Mter inventorying and assessing practices, suggestions are made for modifications. A plan is then developed for actions to be taken to reduce risk of groundwater contamination. FARM*A*SYST is not heavily focused on developing farm and family goals, nor on monitoring progress toward goals. It does not address cropland activities, which are addressed using FIELD* A*SYST (see below), although the two tools may be combined in the future. FARM*A*SYST has been used throughout the United States, and was the basis for the popular Ontario Environmental Farm Plan used widely in Canada. FARM*A*SYST is available through the national Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst office or through Cooperative Extension Services of many states, including Minnesota. Most farmers use the notebook version, although a computerized version has been developed and is available through the national office. The national office address is: Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst, B142 Steenbock Library, 550 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1293, Telephone: 608262-0024, World Wide Web address http:/ /www.wisc.edu/farmasyst/index.html, e-mail: [email protected]
Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

i' ,"'

12

In Minnesota the notebook can be obtained as University of Minnesota Extension Service document PC-5696-GO either through your county Extension office, or ordered from: University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center, 20 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108-6069, Telephone: 800-876-8636 or 612-625-8173, World Wide Web address http://www.mes.umn.edu

Farmer Profile-Farm

*A *Syst

As the accompanying interview with Jerry Bechtold shows, FARM*A*SYST is very effective at helping producers develop management strategies to protect drinking water quality on the farmstead. In contrast to Holistic Management, FARM*A*SYST does not lead producers to identify or make major changes in their family, farm, or financial goals. Instead, alternative management practices evaluated are limited to those that affect farmstead management and water quality rather than the entire production system and the family lifestyle. Remember, for your farm planning to be effective, farm planning tools must be used with your overall vision and goals kept in mind. In order to use Farm*A*Syst in Whole Farm Planning, it can be combined with other tools that are strong in goal setting, that address all three resource areas, and that look beyond the farmstead (see Table 1).

Jerry, LeMay, Roger, and Mark Bechtold, Stearns County, Minnesota

.
.

Dairyfarm, 160 cows, on a river terrace.

Used FARM*A*SYST to redesign the

farmstead dllring herd expansion, preventing groundwater and surface water wntamination from manure and other sources.

The Bechtolds--Jerry (far right) and sons Roger and Mark, and granddaughter-redesigned their farmstead to accommodate a larger herd.

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

13

Left: Most of the sLurryfrom the storage Lagoonsis

"

injected into
cropLand of the BechtoLdsand their neighbors. BeLow:The nearby wetland Jerry is trying to protect.

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

14
FIELD*A*SYST is a recently developed farm planning tool designed to assess the environmental impact of practices for management of croplands, pastures, woodlands, wetlands, and livestock systems. Primary considerations include soil erosion and contamination of surface water and groundwater by nutrients, bacteria, and pesticides. Like FARM*A*SYST, it is excellent in its emphasis on natural resource inventory, assessment, and management alternatives to protect the environment. And also like FARM*A*SYST, it uses a series of worksheets to guide the inventory and assessment process. It includes development of farm and family goals, and monitoring of progress toward goals. It is weak in its evaluation of the financial impact and profitability of management alternatives. When used in the context of your overall vision, combined with other tools that help you evaluate the economic impacts of management alternatives, Field*A*Syst can be a valuable tool in your Whole Farm Planning process (see Table 1). The planning process can be done by the landowner, with the assistance of a professional conservationist and/or a private consultant. FIELD*A*SYST is available from the same sources as FARM~*SYST, and the two may eventually be offered as one unit.

This is a comprehensive farm planning tool developed as one of six national pilot projects by the NRCS. It is very similar in form to FIELD*A*SYST, but with some of its content tailored to southeastern Minnesota. It embodies all four elements of planning, including environmental and financial goal setting, resource inventory and assessment, evaluation and implementation of management alternatives, and monitoring of progress toward goals. A guiding principle in the development of the project was that the planning tool be landowner and/or farmer driven and confidential. The planning process can be done by the landowner and/ or farmer, with the assistance of a professional conservationist, a private consultant, or a combination of the above. Like FARM* and FIELD*A*SYST, it consists of a notebook with evaluation worksheets and recommended practices for farm production activities. Also like FARM* and FIELD*A*SYST, it is very strong in its emphasis on environmentally related resource inventory, assessment, and management alternatives. It is weak in its evaluation of the financial impact and profitability of management alternatives, and places less emphasis on goal setting than Holistic Management especially for identifYing an overall vision and quality of life goals. The notebook and information about using it can be obtained from the NRCS offices in the Whitewater watershed project area: NRCS, Lewiston Field Office, Lewiston, MN 55952-0039, Telephone: 507-523-2171. NRCS, Rochester Field Office, 1485 Industrial Drive NW, Room 102, Rochester, MN 55901-0227, Telephone: 507-289-6239. NRCS, Wabasha Field Office, Suite 10,611 Broadway Ave., Wabasha, MN 55981-1600, Telephone: 320-565-2646.

Farmer Profile-NRCS

Comprehensive

Farm Planning

Tool

Jim Heaser of Winona County was interviewed about his experiences with the NRCS Comprehensive Farm Planning Tool (see accompanying text). The interview shows that this tool helped Jim develop new goals to reduce erosion, build up soil quality, improve the efficiency of his production system, and increase his profitability through agroforestry. Detailed action plans were evaluated and then implemented after a thorough assessment and inventory of Jim's farm and natural resources. When tied back to your overall goals of
Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family. Profit, and Environment

the farm, this farm planning tool can be very effective at helping you address natural resource issues. It can be combined with other tools stronger in goal setting and in inventory and monitoring of quality of life and fmancial issues in order to be part of your Whole Farm Planning process (see Table 1).

15

Farmer Profile: NRCSComprehensive Farm PLan,Minnesota

J
'.

im Heaser is typical of many farm owners these days: while he actively plans and cares for his land, he rents

tbe tillable acre to bis 1::>xoth~r. grew up on a farm in Jim

Winona County that his family has owned and worked since 1898. Despite leaving the farm in 1963 for work in the Twin Cities, he returned with his family to the area in 1982 to care for his mother, and hasn't left since. He lives in neighboring Wabasha County with his spouse, Teresa, and five children, commuting almost daily to the Twin Cities where he still works.

Jim and Teresa Heaser, Winona Count~ Minnesota Smallfarm on sloping land with tillable acres rented to Jim's brother. Used the NRCS Comprehensive FarmPlan to set resource management goals and develop a plan to manage crop and forest land.

.
.

Jim's extensive farm planning began in 1995. That year he purchased the 80-acre farm wbeI;;~he gI;;ewllP ill WillQ,p.a QOUllty. Jim. quickly began thinking about his short- and long-term goals for the land, which included renting the 46 tillable acres to his brother Tom. "Dad. had built a [fa.I:I)1] lan with Winona p County before there was an ASCS [Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service] in 1938-so we had plans from that point forward." But, Jim says, his father's farm plan hadn't been carefully followed or updated over the years. "I decided to redo the plan," Jim says. "I wanted to incotporate new information about modern machinery and farming techniques." With these ideas in mind, Jim contacted Mark ~Ull2i,.anm!NRQSD~strict. Conservationist in Lewiston, in January of 1996.

Jim metMarR the year beforemwhi~~' aftendmg a WhitewaterWatershed Community meeting. "Mark told me about the NRCS [Natural Resources Conservation Service] Comprehensive Farm Plan program, which was still in the developmental process," Jim recalls. "I agreed to try it out and we sat down and started going througb the worksheets." The planning workbook includes sections on goal setting, resource inventory and assessment, evaluation and implementation of management alterna~ ijves, and monitoring of progress toward goals. Mter talking with his brother Tom, who farms the Winona land, Jim compiled a set of environmental and economic goals that would protect soil and water while enabling his bI"bthettb continue fannmg. Jun, tbgetherWith Mark KUI1Z,"corlJ'ipleted aninven-' tory of Jim's land, identifying forest areas, pasture lands, feedlot spaces, and tillable crop acres. "For the most part, [the inventory] was personal observation," Jim says. ".InSQrn~cases~.lJj.lst.!i,weit o~~ aI14 w~eq. t);1elRIld tOrnea.ur~she~t erosion in certain spots." Tom participated in the inventory process as well, proViding information on his current fertilizer and pesticide application rates.

Jim Heaser actively plans and cares for his land.

- --

- - ---

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

16

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

--

--

....
The Dutch Yardstick is a farm planning tool developed in the Netherlands to improve the efficiency of nutrient management, so that phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium impacts on surface water and groundwater resources are minimized. The tool consists of a set of simple worksheets farmers use to track nutrient inputs and outputs to the farm from purchased feed, fertilizer, manure, nitrogen-fixing crops, and other sources. The farmer subtracts outputs from inputs to get the surplus or loss to the environment. Ideally, the amount of nutrients removed from the farm should equal those brought onto the farm, but some loss to the environment is unavoidable. The challenge to the farmer is to reduce this nutrient loss score without adversely affecting production. The yardstick is weak on goals development, and has only a limited focus (nutrient management) for resource inventory and assessment, for evaluation of management alternatives, and for monitoring. Therefore, it would have to be combined with other tools in your Whole Farm Planning process to cover the four steps and three resource areas (see Table 1). The principal contact regarding the Dutch Yardstick in the United States is the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy: IATP, 2105 First Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55404, Telephone: 612-870-0453, e-mail: [email protected], World Wide Web address http://www.igc.apc.org/iatp

..

17

AgriSource is an information management system used by Cenex/Land O'Lakes crop production agronomists to make decisions about fertilizer and pesticide applications. AgriSource contributes to decision making in two ways. First, it helps collect and analyze data on each crop field, and second, it keeps accurate records for comparison of production strategies and for compliance with regulatory programs. AgriSource automatically computes fertilizer needs based on a soil test, manure nutrient contributions, and previous legume crop nitrogen contributions. A customized fertilizer program is then developed which accounts for application timing and method through consultation with a crop production expert. AgriSource helps evaluate the costs of different crop protection products, and provides updates on pest and disease trends in the region. Costs, return on investment, and expenses by category are also analyzed. AgriSource is strong on development and evaluation of rates, timing, and methods for fertilizer and pesticide application programs. It does not address development of goals and monitoring of progress toward goals, nor does it assess the current condition of natural resources, such as soil erosion status or the environmental effects of fertilizer and pesticides. Since the focus of AgriSource is nutrient, weed, and pest management, there is little emphasis on inventory or assessment of buildings, facilities, equipment, livestock, or labor. AgriSource could be useful in Whole Farm Planning when combined with other tools stronger in these areas, and assuming you have already decided to include cropping systems as part of your action plan (see Table 1). AgriSource is available at local Cenex/Land O'Lakes offices.

'\

J "

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

18
FINPACK is a widely used computerized farm financial planning and analysis system. It helps producers evaluate their financial situation, explore financial outcomes of management alternatives, and make informed decisions about the future direction of the farm. It is not a record keeping system; it uses existing records to improve the financial management of a farm or ranch. FINPACK allows farmers to develop balance sheets, long-range financial plans, cash flow plans, and year-end analyses. FINPACK does no environmental planning, and has limited emphasis on development of comprehensive farm and family goals. Its focus on resource inventory and assessment is strong on capital and labor assets, but does not address soil conditions or other natural resources. FINPACK can be most useful in Whole Farm Planning when used to evaluate the financial outcomes of specific management alternatives you have identified after you have set your overall goals and vision in Step 1. FINPACK could be used in combination with other tools that are stronger in overall goal setting and inventory and assessment of natural resources in order to address all elements of Whole Farm Planning (see Table 1). Typically farmers use FINPACK with the assistance of financial advisors or take an orientation workshop to learn to use it themselves. Information about FINPACK and how to obtain it is available at the Center for Farm Financial Management, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, 249 Classroom Office Building, 1994 Buford Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, Telephone: 800-234-1111 or 612-625-1964, World Wide Web address http://www.cffm.umn.edu

...

MAP is a widely used computerized farm planning tool designed to improve the handling, utilization, and disposal of livestock manure. It helps farmers develop a manure application plan based on the amount and analysis of manure, the field conditions where manure is to be applied, and the costs of manure and fertilizer. MAP can determine the most costeffective manure application plan that does not over-apply nutrients. MAP does not address development of goals, and has only a limited focus (on manure management) for resource inventory and assessment, for evaluation of management alternatives, and for monitoring of progress. Farmers can use MAP without technical assistance, and can obtain MAP from the Center for Farm Financial Management, Department of 1\pplied Economics, University of Minnesota, 249 Classroom Office Building, 1994 Buford Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, Telephone: 800-234-1111 or 612-625-1964, World Wide Web address http://www.cffm.umn.edu

Farmer Profile-FINPACK

and MAP

Mark and Roxanne Sauter of Goodhue County used FINPACK and Manure Application Planner (MAP) to improve the management of their dairy operation (see accompanying interview). With FINPACK they assessed the financial feasibility of expanding the herd size so that Mark could spend less time raising feed crops and more time working with animals. With FINPACK and MAP they developed management strategies to protect drinking water through the use of a lagoon, manure nutrient analysis, and manure spreading contracts. Overall, Mark is convinced that these strategies will make him a more efficient and profitable farmer, while protecting the environment. In order to use tools like FINPACK and MAP in your Whole Farm Planning process, they must be used with your overall vision and goals from Step 1 in mind. It will be most helpful to use them in combination with other tools that have a stronger focus on quality of life and natural resources

(see Table 1).

Ii.

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Mark and RoxanneSauter, Goodhue County, Minnesota Sixty-cow dairy farm on gentLy sLoping Land. Using FINPACK pLana twoto phase dairy herd expansion. Used MAPto pLanmanure distribution.

..
19

.
. .
J

is located

on

Mark and his spreading equipment.

rsonal and farm

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family. prptt. and Environment L

20
Mark's second personal goal is to spend less time ,raising feed working with his animals. "I like working with cows," Mark says. "I'm the rare farmer that doesn't enjoy driving a tractor."

In order to achieve his first two personal objectives, Maxk~and ;Roxanne decided to" take on a partner, expand the operation, and hire more labor. "Within six months to a year after the initial expansion I hope to, be able to begin taking time off," says Mark. Presently, Mark hires someone for two to three hours each day to help him with the morning and evening milkings., He is frequently aided by his father, now 76, with feedings and manure hauling, but otherwise does most of the farm work alone. Following consultations with Extension educators andofuer producers,MarWib~ga1J,cqpSidering a two-phase expansion plan from a 60cow opeJ;"ationto a 6QO"'co}Vp~ration in"10 q years that he hopes will eventually generate additional .income awl family tim~. Maxk currently is llS.iLlgFINJ?AGI\:andfu~ Ma:mire ApplicationPla1mer(l\1AP) to prepare a detailed financial and manUJ;"e management analysis oihIs planned dally expansion. Bets working with the Land O'Lakes Milk J?rocurement Division, which uses FINPA9K1to assess the fmancial data assoCiated with his expansion plans. "I couldptobably run the program just as well on my own, but I rely on them for their expertise with the data," Mark explains. "They'veworked on about 4,500 expansiOn projeCts and have a pretty extensive databa.se on what things are goin8 t~ c~st, what do:s \Vofk,\\V~at doesn't work, and howmany people you~re going to need to make""this effectively

Mark has pLanned a two-phase dairy herd expansion with

FINPACK

and used

MAPto pLan-manure distribution.

function. "

Together, Mark and Land O'Lakes' representative Harlan Holmquist have run three FINPACK f'1nancial assessments of Mark:s expansion plan. For the firstassesstneht, they considered if it was finanCially feasible for Mark to expand immediately, rather thaninpllasesf to a 600-'cow herd. "We plugged the 600H::owherd size into ,the cOn:l~ puter and realized that the interest payments [to finance the expansion of buildings and animals] would kill me," Mark explains. "So we ranR cotiple of otherr;optiohS, using smaller herd sizes and a more gradual expansion plan to get my net worth and ca$hflows, up." Inthe third FINJ?ACK assessment, Mark and Harlan input the cur.. rently planned two-stage expansion. "The third one looked pretty good, pretty promising," Mark, says. "All the [input cost] nUJ:pbersIwe1J,tl inhigh, and we're still showing positive on the bottom line. It's starting to look like a definite go."

Based on the FINPACKresults, Mark plans fIrst to increase his herd size to 200 cows. In this phase Maxk and his partner, who has workedo1J",dairy farmsl1J"the past,will pool their resources of labor, finances, and management skills. They plan to use Maxk,'s equity base to fInance a"new free",stall baxnapdtoJ:n.1.Y new animals;and WUI share milking work. "In step two hopefully the partnership will have enough equity to put up the next build.iLlgtq house500",60Q cows," l\iIaxw says. "'"I'hefree-$ta,JIba:J;"tl Wi!1b~~pm~ q g,ry; stall [barn] because 200 cows is all that site can, hold." He explains that being in the waxstregiqn and haying close groung,water Jevels limitsth~ ampll:qt Qf,lrP~lP;-e"sqt~ly

---~--

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

21

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

22

IV. Visual Comparison Guides for Farm Planning Tools

Each of the planning tools described above has strengths and weaknesses. To help decide which combination of tools may be best for your use in Whole Farm Planning, please scan the series of tables at the end of this chapter that indicate the key differences between tools.

How the Comparisons

Were Made

Nineteen people familiar with one or more of the nine tools evaluated the relative strengths and weaknesses of the planning tools. These people included farmers, Extension educators, crop consultants, researchers at the University of Minnesota, and people at the Minnesota Project, Land Stewardship Project, and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. These evaluations were averaged, and then our project team members adjusted some ratings to ensure consistency.

How to Use'the

Comparison

Tables

The four tables below allow a quick visual comparison between Holistic Management, PLANETOR, FARM*A*SYST, FIELD*A*SYST, NRCS Comprehensive Farm Plan, Dutch Yardstick, AgriSource, FINPACK, and Manure Application Planner (MAP). They are designed to provide an overview of the four essential elements in Whole Farm Planning: 1) Goal Setting, 2) Inventory and Analysis, 3) Action Plan, and 4) Monitoring Progress.

The ranking scheme uses symbols, with indicating excellent emphasis, indicating strong emphasis, G indicating fair emphasis, and 0 indicating the category was not addressed by the tool. Table 1 shows the relative strengths of each farm planning tool in Goal Setting, Resource Inventory and Assessment, Action Plan, and Monitoring. This table also describes the scope and focus for each tool. It is clear that no single tool has an excellent emphasis in all four essential elements. Table 2 shows how helpful each tool is in constructing an Inventory and Assessment of facilities, livestock, people, and finances, while Table 3 addresses Inventory and Assessment of various natural resources. Table 4 shows the degree to which each tool addresses specific production practices that may make up an action plan, as well as farmstead concerns that may be addressed in an action plan. Note that Holistic Management was not rated in Tables 2-4. This is because it does not specifically address these elements. Rather than suggesting specific practices, HM leads users to consider and choose practices based on their goals.

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Table 1: Comparison of planning tools, with emphasis on the four essential elements of Whole Farm Planning,
" O<; . &-O ''i'<.,o ,,(.O I/,

..
23

'i'<.,0

q, ?\ .> "II., I\. \ q, (.q, 1/,,,,, o q," 'to""

'i'<.,

\.

I\. ,\00

O "

l
"

Holistic Management
PLANETOR

Comprehensive Economic and natural resource focus Farmstead only; natural resource foe s Comprehensive; natural resource focus Comprehensive; natural resource focus

FARM*A*SYST
FIELD* A *SYST

NRCSComprehensive Farm Plan Dutch Yardstick

AgriSource
FINPACK

MAP

.
.

0 0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0 0
Fair emphasis

0 0 0

Nutrientmanagement nly;naturalresourcefocus o
Agrichemicalmanagement only; natural resource

and economic focus

Economicfocus economic focus

Manure management nly;naturalresourceand o

Excellent emphasis

Strong emphasis

Does not address these categories

Table 2: Comparison of planning tools, with emphasis on inventory and assessment of specific farm resources. . 11.,,,. c
'" 'i'<.,

."II.,. q;
\q, \;

.o
.
(.q;

"
'\ ,,0 !\ q; 0

-,'\
1\.11.,

\. ,\00
PLANETOR

. <$' s.

q,

,
0
0

.,,0<; 11.," '> q,' q;

.
0 0

, 0
0 0

1\.11.,. q,o. q, '\"

.i:> "

1\." oi:>

.
0 0

0
0

FARM*A*SYST
FIELD*A*SYST NRCSComprehensive

FarmPlan

0
0

.
0

DutchYardstick
AgriSource FINPACK
MAP

.
Strong emphasis

0 0

0
0
Fairemphasis

Holistic Management

Holistic Management includes a compreliensive inventory process, but does not explicitly name specific farm resources.

Excellentemphasis

Does not address these categories

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

24

Table3: Comparisonof planningtools, with emphasison inventoryand assessmentof specificnatural resources.

v.:: ."q;
.q, C,),o "

"
"

'I.
oo
" "" C,)'\ \.oo

r..
\.a: ,\00 PLANETOR

cq,

.
"

,,,

FARM*A*SYST FIELD* *SYST A

NRCSComprehensive

FarmPlan

. 0 0 . . . . . .
"

tJ

,.

r;:,o"

,,

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0
0

. . .
0 0 0 0 0 0

. . .
0
0

DutchYardstick AgriSource
FINPACK MAP

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

0
0

Holistic Management

.
~~~ ~\.~~ ~ ,\00
PLANETOR FARM*A*SYST FIELD*A*SYST

Holistic Management does not specifically address these elements, but can be applied to management decisions in the development of Whole Farm Plans. Rather than suggesting specific practices, HMleads users to choose practices based on their goals.

Excellent emphasis

Strong emphasis

Fairemphasis

Does not address these categories

Table 4: Comparison of planning tools, with emphasis on specific production practices or farmstead components in the action plan. (Referto Table 1 to see which resource areas each tool addresses.) ." .o q,"'" ." 1'v q; t(f. q;.o <-q, q, .",q," q, t(f. v.:: o; "o (,0 "q; q,q; o; <-o; a: '\ a: ." q; '1. q; " q,"a:q; "v.:: ,,

"
\O q,

00 o '(;

'\

NRCSComprehensive Farm Plan Dutch Yardstick AgriSource FINPACK MAP Holistic Management

. . . . . . 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
. 0 .
0
0
0

o \. r;:, q"a:

q, . a:

0
0

0 0
0
0

. 0 0 . . . . e* . . .*
0

'\

q,a: v.:: q; o c} l (,0

0
0 0

0 0

0
0

0 0 0

.
*

Holistic Management does not specifically address these elements, but can be applied to management decisions in the development of Whole FarmPlans. Rather than suggesting specific practices, HMleads users to choose practices based on their goals.

Excellentemphasis

Strong emphasis

Fair emphasis
requirements

Does not address these categories

FARM*A*Syst.

FIELD*A*SYST and NRCS Comprehensive

Farm Plan include

for performing

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

V.Conclusion:
Putting It All Together
Getting Started
Unfortunately, many of us wait for a financial, farm, or family crisis before seriously looking at alternative approaches. Steering around rocks in the river is easier than pulling the boat off them later. The most important decision is to make a commitment with your family to develop a plan, then begin the four-step process outlined in Chapter II: 1. Setting goals 2. 3. 4. Making an inventory Monitoring progress and assessment toward goals of farm resources Developing and implementing an action plan

25

Tables 1-4 can help you identify which tools to use in your four-step process. Remember, you will want to address all three resource areas-quality of life, natural, and financial-in each of the four steps.

Step 1: Setting

Goals

Your long- and short-term goals can be developed without the use of tools, or the process can be facilitated through workshops given by Extension or your local farm business management program, or through using one of the tools outlined in this publication. Looking at Table 1, the tool with the strongest emphasis on goal setting is Holistic Management, followed by FIELD*A*SYST and the NRCS Comprehensive Farm Plan.

Step 2: Inventory

and Assessment

Inventory and assessment is the step most thoroughly addressed by tools. Your primary commitment will be in doing the physical inventory and organization of records, either alone, or with professional assistance. From Table 2 it is clear that FINPACK is the strongest in its emphasis on inventory and assessment of financially based farm resources, while from Table 3 it is clear that FIELD*A*SYST and the NRCS Comprehensive Farm Plan are strongest in inventory and assessment of natural resources. As an example, you may wish to use both FINPACK and FIELD*A*SYST for a comprehensive inventory and assessment of resources.

Step 3: Developing

an Action Plan

Developing and implementing an action plan depends primarily on you, with some assistance from tools to estimate quality of life, economic, and natural resource implications of alternative strategies. The more actively you seek and evaluate a full range of options, the more likely you are to find options that fit in your plan and help you reach your goals. Experiences of other producers are vital for learning about alternatives. You can make contact with other producers through the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, other producer groups, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's annual Greenbook. Information about options can also be found in the farm and marketing press and University of Minnesota Extension Service publications. Your investment will be in time to research alternative production, marketing, or other strategies which help you reach the goals set in Step 1, and using the resources inventoried in Step 2. Once you have identified the strategies that seem most promising, you can use farm planning tools to compare them or to help identify the best way to implement them. If you are specifically interested in developing an action plan to improve the management of your
Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

..
26

farmstead (wells, waste storage, treatment, and disposal facilities), Table 4 shows that the strongest emphasis is clearly obtained with FARM*A*SYST. If you are interested in natural resource conservation practices, the strongest emphasis is obtained using PLANETOR, FIELD* A*SYST, or the NRCS Comprehensive Farm Plan. If you are interested in the financial outcomes of different management or implementation scenarios, Tables 1 and 4 show that FINPACK and PLANETOR are the tools most tailored to financial analysis of management alternatives.

Step 4: Monitoring
Once the plan is in place, you will need to periodically review your goals and progress toward them using personal, financial, and physical indicators. Table 1 shows that Holistic Management is strongest in monitoring progress toward goals. While Holistic Management can provide some help in this step, most of the guidance will come from the goals and plans you have developed in Steps 1-3. Finally, remember, you are not alone in this process. Professionals in financial analysis, natural resource management, farm transfer, agricultural production, and personal planning, as well as other farm families who have been through planning, are there to help. State and federal agencies, Extension, farmer organizations, and others participate in planning assistance when requested. Don't let the "busy-ness" of the present cause the crash of the farm business or family tomorrow.

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Contact Information for Planning Tools

AgriSource
AgriSource is available at your local Cenex/Land O'Lakes office.

..
27

putch Yardstick
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy 2105 First Ave. So. Minneapolis, MN 55404 Telephone: 612-870-0453 World Wide Web address: http://www.igc.apc.org/iatp e-mail: [email protected]

FARM*A*SYST FIELD *A *SYST

Farm* A*Syst/Home* A*Syst B142 Steenbock Library, 550 Babcock Drive

Madison, WI 53706-1293 . Telephone: 608-262-0024 World Wide Web address: http://www.wisc.edu/farmasyst/index.html e-mail: [email protected]
Also contact your local Cooperative Extension Service office. In Minnesota the notebook can be obtained as University of Minnesota Extension Service document PC-5696-GO, from: University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center 20 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108-6069 Telephone: 800-876-8636 or 612-625-8173 World Wide Web address: http://www.mes.umn.edu

FINPACK
Center for Farm Financial Management Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota 249 Classroom Office Building 1994 Buford Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108 Telephone: 800-234-1111 or 612-625-1964 World Wide Web address: http://www.cffm.umn.edu

Holistic Management
Center for Holistic Management 10007 Luna Circle NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 Telephone: 800-654-3619 World Wide Web address: http://www.igc.org/holisticmanagement In Minnesota, instruction is available through: The Land Stewardship Project 103 Nichols Ave. Montevideo, MN 56265 Telephone: 320-269-2105

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

28

Larry L. Johnson and Associates, Inc. 5007 Fremont Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55419-1157 Telephone: 612-825-2091

MAP
Center for Farm Financial Management Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota 249 Classroom Office Building 1994 Buford Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108 Telephone: 800-234-1111 or 612-625-1964 World Wide Web address: http://www.cffm.umn.edu

NRCS Comprehensive Farm Plan, Minnesota

NRCS, Lewiston Field Office Lewiston, MN 55952-0039 Telephone: 507-523-2171 NRCS, Rochester "Field Office 1485 Industrial Drive NW, Rm. 102 Rochester, MN 55901-0227 Telephone: 507-289-6239 NRCS, Wabasha Field Office Suite 10,611 Broadway Ave. Wabasha, MN 55981-1600 Telephone: 320-565-2646

PLANETOR
Center for Farm Financial Management Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota 249 Classroom Office Building 1994 Buford Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108 Telephone: 800-234-1111 or 612-625-1964 World Wide Web address: http://www.cffm.umn.edu

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

Additional Resources for Planning

Organizations
Chippewa River Whole Farm Planning and Monitoring Team. This team has worked with a number of farmers to do financial monitoring and Whole Farm Planning. They can provide real-life data and experience with respect to alternative land uses to reduce flooding and improve water quality. Contact: Terry VanDerPol, Land Stewardship Project, 103 W. Nichols, Montevideo, MN 56265, (320)269-2105. Great Lakes Basin Farm Planning Network. This is a network of people interested in Whole Farm Planning with a local organization in each of the Great Lakes states and Ontario. The network's purpose is to develop and disseminate information about Whole Farm Planning and a variety of farm planning tools. The network can help connect farmers with other farmers and farm service providers interested in Whole Farm Planning. The contact in Minnesota is George Boody, Land Stewardship Project, 2200 Fourth St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110, (612)653-0618. Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota (SFA). The SFA is a farmer-run nonprofit organization that serves as an information-sharing network about sustainable farming practices. There are currently 12 chapters throughout the state. Contact the SFA to find out about the chapter nearest your area. Contact: DeEtta Bilek, State Coordinator, Rt. 1 Box 4, Aldrich, MN 56434, (218)445-5475. Whole Farm Planning Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). MDA's program can help lead farmers to different planning tools, to people who can help them with planning, and to a network of farmers and others interested in Whole Farm Planning. The program can also help farmers develop their own Whole Farm Plan, and help with community organizing using the concepts of Whole Farm Planning. Contact: Wayne Monsen, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program, 90 West Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107, (612)282-2261, http:/ / www.mda.state.mn.us/DOCS/AGDEV/wholefarm/WHLEFARM.htm

..
29

Publications
Greenbook. This book is published annually and summarizes the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grants projects. These projects show the implementation of a range of new and alternative farming practices, including soil fertility, cropping, livestock, and marketing. Each project description contains a summary of the results and contact information for the project. Available from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program, 90 West Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107, (612)282-2261. Successful Whole Farm Planning. 1996. This report summarizes the recommendations of the Great Lakes Basin Farm Planning Network concerning what a Whole Farm Plan is, what features should characterize the Whole Farm Planning process, and how we should measure the success of Whole Farm Plans. Available from The Minnesota Project, 1885 University Ave. West #315, St. Paul, MN 55104, (612)645-6159 or on the Web at http:/ / www.misa.umn.edu/swfp.html Whole Farm Planner. This free newsletter comes out several times annually. It includes articles about local farm planning projects, technical information, comments on policy issues, and stories about individual farmers and their planning experiences. It is availWhole Farm Planning: Combining Family, Profit, and Environment

30

able through the Minnesota Project, 1885 University Ave. West #315, St. Paul, MN 55104 (612)645-6159 or on the Web at http://www.misa.umn.edu/wfp.html Whole Farm Planning-What It Takes. 1997. This publication describes the essential elements of Whole Farm Planning in process, content, and outcomes. It was put together by the Minnesota Whole Farm Planning Working Group, which consists of farmers and representatives from local, state, and federal agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations. It is available from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program, 90 West Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107, (612)282-2261 or on the Web at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/DOCS/AGDEV/wholefarm/WHLEFARM.htm

Whole Farm Planning: Combining Family. Profit. and Environment

Produced by the Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension Service. For ordering information call 612/625-8173. 10% postconsumer

\%I

Printed on recycled paper with minimum waste, using agribased inks.

The information given in this publication is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the University of Minnesota Extension Service is implied. . In accordance with the material is available in contact your Minnesota Minnesota, contact the Americans with Disabilities Act, this altemative formats upon request. Please county extension office or, outside of Distribution Center at 612/625-8173.

Copyright @1998, Regents of the University of Minnesota Extension Service. All rights reserved. Send copyright permission inquiries to: Copyright Coordinator, University of Minnesota Extension Service, 405 Coffey Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108-6068. E-Mail to [email protected] or fax to: 612/625-2207. The University of Minnesota Extension Service is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Find this publication and more Extension www.extension.umn.edu/

material

at: