BUSINESS SERVICES
Publications and Web Resources
AgPlan Business Plan Writing - University of Minnesota
Building A Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses - SARE
https://www.sare.org/resources/building-a-sustainable-business/
Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities - SARE
http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Building-Sustainable-Farms-Ranches-and-Communities
Evaluating a Farming Enterprise - ATTRA
http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms/evaluating.pdfHolistic Management: A Whole-
Farm Decision Making Framework - NC State Cooperative Extension
http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms/holistic.pdf
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Canva
Enterprise Budgets - Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/agribusiness/resources/request-budget.html
Organizations
ACRE (Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship)
ACRE is made up of six areas of emphasis: research initiatives; entrepreneurship center; agribusiness development grants; SC Farm Link; policy; and local food and logistics.
AgSouth Farm Credit
1884 Joe S Jeffords Hwy, Orangeburg, SC 29115
803-534-6546, 864-585-6234 ext 6725
Contact: contactus@agsouthfc.com
Specialties: Financing, loans, leases, services and insurance for agriculture, real estate, operating needs, crop production, livestock, timber, equipment, harvesting, and more.
Carolina Farm Stewards Food Systems Consulting Services
Mailing Address: PO Box 448, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Physical Address: 287 East St. Suite 421, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919-542-2402 (fax) 919-542-7401
Specialties: Feasibility assessment, market channel development, business planning assistance, investment/lending matching, food safety plan support, product sourcing assistance, legal structure guidance.
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Lowcountry Local First
1630-2 Meeting St Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 801-3390
Specialties: Local community building, land access
Matson Consulting
www.matsonconsult.com or https://www.facebook.com/MatsonConsulting
PO Box 661, Aiken, SC 29802
803-233-7134 (fax) 803-233-7938
Specialties: Grant support, local foods, feasibility studies, business planning, industry research, strategic planning, rural business development, etc.
Quality Business Experts
843-922-1100
Contact: info@qbe.us.com
Specialties: QBE provides experts and consultants to meet litigation and business needs
Rita’s Roots
Charleston, SC
843-608-8415
Specialties: Direct sales, marketing, farmers markets, garden/small farm planning and installation
SCORE - Coastal Chapter
www.score285.org or www.coastal.score.org
Lonnie Hamilton III Building 4045 Bridge View Drive C216, North Charleston, SC 29405
843-727-4778
Contact: info@SCORE285.org (Multiple listings statewide)
Specialties: All services provided free of cost, including business planning, marketing, advertising, financing, public relations, and specialized business topics; low-cost workshops.
Small Business Development Center - SC State Region
SCSU Region Small Business Development Center
300 College Street
Belcher Hall Suite 353
Orangeburg, South Carolina 29117
803.533.3964
Contact: charlestonsbdc@mailbox.sc.edu (Multiple Offices)
Specialties: One-on-one consultation to prospective and existing business owners, assisting them to analyze business opportunities, develop business plans, and create loan packages. Services are offered at no charge and are available by appointment only. All SBDCs across the state can provide business support listed above but SCSU also can provide specialized agri-business consulting as well.