Skip to content Skip to navigation
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment
UMass Food Science Extension Program
  • Food Science Home
  • About
  • Industry
    • Overview
    • Pilot Plant at UMass Amherst
    • Trainings
  • Entrepreneur
    • Overview
    • Starting a Small Food Business
    • Groundwork for Business Success
    • Business Plan
    • Food Safety Planning
    • Production
  • Consumer
    • Overview
    • Home Preservation
    • Home Food Safety
    • Nutrition
  • Projects
  • Resources
  • Farmers
  • Outreach
  • News & Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • News

Business Plan

decorative image

Business Plan

With goals and expectations in hand, a business plan is the written document detailing how those goals will be achieved.

The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) aims to assist small businesses through access to capital and developmental resources. They define a business plan as “an essential roadmap for business success. This living document generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to grow revenues.” (SBA.gov)

This section will cover the following areas of a Business Plan:

  • An executive summary of your business 
  • Description of your company and product -- including what state and federal licensure may be required on both the business and food safety ends 
  • Organization of the business -- leadership division/structure 
  • Analysis of market 
  • Plan of production, distribution 
  • Marketing plan 
  • Financial plan 
  • Sales estimates including all assumptions 
  • Additional needs or costs for your business- loans, insurance, taxes 

Remember, your business plan is a living document; continually update it as your business grows.

Additional details about business planning, marketing resources and food production resources can be found in additional resources or at: 

  • Small Business Association: Writing a Business Plan 
  • MDAR Food Processors Resource Manual 
  • Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network 
  • UMASS Libraries Business Research Guide 

Entrepreneur

  • Overview
  • Starting a Small Food Business
  • Groundwork for Business Success
  • Business Plan
    • Market Analysis
    • Financial Planning
    • Business Classification
    • Other Certifications
  • Food Safety Planning
  • Production

Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

 

Stockbridge Hall,
80 Campus Center Way
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003-9246
Phone: (413) 545-4800
Fax: (413) 545-6555
ag [at] cns [dot] umass [dot] edu (ag[at]cns[dot]umass[dot]edu)

 

Civil Rights and Non-Discrimination Information

College of Natural Sciences

Login for faculty and staff

CAFE Units

Mass. Agricultural Experiment Station

UMass Extension

UMass Research and Education Center Farms

UMass Cranberry Station

Water Resources Research Center

Interest Areas

Agriculture

Commercial Horticulture

Energy

Environmental Conservation

Food Science

Nutrition

Water

Youth Development & 4-H

Services

Pesticide Education

Plant Diagnostics Laboratory

Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory

Hot Water Seed Treatment

Water Testing / Environmental Analysis Laboratory

Projects

Conservation Assessment Prioritization System (CAPS)

Extension Risk Management/Crop Insurance Education

Mass. Envirothon

Mass. Herp Atlas

Mass. Keystone

MassWoods

North American Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative

RiverSmart

UMass Design Center in Springfield

Resources

Extension Sales Portal

Agriculture & Commercial Horticulture Resources

Community & Economic Vitality

Disaster Preparedness

Food Safety

Home Lawn & Garden

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Land Conservation Tools

Pollinators

Tick testing

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Extension Programs

4-H Youth Development

Agriculture

Crops, Dairy, Livestock and Equine

Fruit

Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture

Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry

Pesticide Education

Turf

Vegetable

Clean Energy

Climate Change

Food Science

Nutrition Education

Value-Added Food

Seal of The University of Massachusetts Amherst - 1863
©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst · Site Policies · Accessibility