workshops
Richard's experience from farming full time for the last 35 years, coupled with his thirst for appropriate farm business strategies, gives a hard-to-find authenticity to his workshops. Farmers often learn best from other farmers, and Richard's easy going style helps this information sharing. Richard offers workshops on numerous farm topics, from making a profit to employee management to farm Mechanization. Custom tailored workshops to suit your group's needs, as well as webinars, are also an option. Workshop modules usually run 1.25 to 1.5 hours.
Full day workshops can be put together from any of the listed workshops below, or custom designed. A popular full day workshop is: Farming Smarter, Not Harder/ Determing Your Costs of Production/ lunch break/ Mind Your Business: Financial Literacy & Effective Business Management for Farmers/ Farm Mechanization and Efficiencies and/or Employee Management. Two day workshops are also available. All workshops work fine as stand alone presentations as well. Contact Richard for rates.
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association was thrilled to host Richard in 2011 and bring his important information to our members. Both his sessions were standing-room only in the largest room we had. I heard lots of great feedback about the workshops.
— Conference Program Manager
Richard was very easy to work with. He was willing to tailor his talk to our audience and was flexible and professional.
I would work with him again in a heartbeat!
— Workshop Coordinator, Wisconsin
Farming Smarter, Not Harder : Planning for Profit
Farming offers fundamental satisfaction from producing food, working outdoors, being one’s own boss, and working intimately with nature. But unfortunately, many farmers avoid learning about the business end of farming; because of this, they often work harder than they need to, or quit farming altogether because of frustrating- and often avoidable- losses. This workshop will focus on the planning and analysis tools needed to run a profitable farm, in an easy, step-by-step format. Tips for beginner farmers will finish the session.
Determine Your Costs of Production: Farm Budgets Made Simple
Ever wonder how much it costs to produce a dozen eggs? A feeder pig? Hoophouse greens? Are you making a profit with them given your current sales prices? Longtime organic farmer Richard Wiswall will demystify production costs for various farm ventures and show which ones are making money or not. This group working session will simplify and enlighten the process of determining profitability for any of your farm endeavors. Beginning and seasoned farmers alike will benefit, and share in some eye opening results.
NEW: MIND YOUR BUSINESS! Financial Literacy & Effective Business Management for Farmers
What does it mean to be "In Business"? Why should you keep records? Because Richard said so? No! To better manage your farm business so you can work less and make more money? Yes! Now that you are in the farming business, learn the language of business. Be a highly effective manager, learn the macro and micro tools of financials, and benefit from some quick tips for success.
Richard Wiswall has presented for the following organizations: ACORN, New Brunswick, Canada, Bioneers MA, Brooklyn Grange, NY, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association NC, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture MA, UCONN, CT, Cornell Cooperative Association NY, Ecofarm CA, Ecological Farmers of Ontario, Canada, Farmstart, Canada, Florida Extension, Goddard College VT, Granite State Graziers, NH, Kansas Farmers Union, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute WI, Maine Organic and Farming and Gardening Association, Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) MA, NOFA NH, NOFA NJ, NOFA VT, Ontario Cooperative Association Canada, Oregon State University, OSHER VT, Partners of America Honduras, PASA, PA, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Regional Farm and Food NY, Small and Beginner Farmers of NH, Southern Sustainable Ag Working Group, AR, Sterling College VT, Stone Barns Center, NY, University of Vermont, Vermont Technical College, Young Farmers Network, RI, and others.