Overview:
This 6-week evening series is designed to help agricultural producers and farm-based businesses turn ideas into a practical, sustainable business plan. Beginning February 19 and running through March 26, 2026, participants will meet weekly on Thursday evenings from 5:30–7:30 pm to clarify their values and vision, assess their current operation, and develop clear mission statements and goals. Each session builds on the last—covering marketing, operations, human resources, and financial planning—while including tools like SWOT analysis and long-term risk evaluation. By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a complete, ready-to-implement business plan, action steps, and systems for tracking your progress and guiding future growth.
Program Goals:
- Clarify personal, economic, environmental, and community values that guide farm decision-making
- Assess the current state of your farm or ag business across marketing, operations, HR, and finances
- Develop a clear vision, mission statement, and set of short- and long-term business goals
- Build a practical, strategic business plan tailored to your operation
- Strengthen skills in pricing, competition analysis, and market positioning
- Evaluate financial health, risk, and long-term sustainability of the business
- Create concrete action steps, timelines, and record-keeping systems to support implementation and growth
Who Is This Workshop Series For?
The AG-X 2026: From Roots to Results is open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, aiming to accelerate growth in the current economic climate. Tailored for entrepreneurs introducing value-added agricultural products, services, or brands, this program empowers ventures like controlled environment agriculture, artisanal cheese, or field monitoring drones.
The cost to participate in the AG-X Workshop Series is $25 per company for up to three team members.
Details:
Time & Date: Thursdays, 5:30pm – 7:30pm beginning February 19 until March 26.
Location: DEIC, 201 Duncan St., Ashland, VA 23005
Cost: $25 (Total for all 6 sessions and materials)
More details on class topics are available here.
Sponsored by: 
About the Instructor:
Scot Ferguson, Virginia Cooperative Extension*
Scot Ferguson is the new Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent in Hanover County. While originally from Nevada where he got his Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Scot spent the last decade working in production agriculture, focusing on greenhouse production, fertilization, and pest management both in ornamentals and vegetable crops.
*Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.