A Circle is 3-7 farmers with shared interests and/or values, goals.

Farm Viability Circles are autonomous, small, farmer-run groups (Circles) contributing to the ecological, economic, and social viability of regional farms. Circles support their farmer members through peer-to-peer education, technical assistance, and access to farm advisors while growing and deepening farming relationships.

​With a focus on real-time farm financial analysis and recordkeeping, each Circle explores how farm viability can be approached and achieved. The intersection of the Circle members’ identities, wisdom, constraints, and barriers are at the forefront of these explorations. Circles contribute to the Farm Viability Circle program by sharing their experiences, strategies, and outcomes with the collective.

Farm Viability Circle components:

The charters are a consensus created document comprising Circle organization and operation

• Autonomous: Circles are organized by a coordinator, have individualized charters, and organize their collective learning through a learning plan.

• Regular Meetings: Circles discuss successes and challenges, share knowledge, and build new skills.

• Recordkeeping & Analysis: Real farm financial data are used to help each Circle develop viable practices and strategies.

• Internal & External Support: Peer-to-peer learning leverages Circle expertise, records, and resources. Angelic Organics Learning Center support leverages funding to access expert consultation, training, and/or other relevant opportunities.

• Annual Gathering: Join the collective in learning from other Circles to expand deeply into the meaning of farm viability.

Information Packet

F.A.Q's

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Farm Viability Circles Directory

Wisconsin Diversified Market Circle

With five current farm members, all have diversified distribution and marketing approaches. They are vegetable focused with some livestock. This circle has a minimum $30,000 gross income threshold for membership, but are looking to raise that threshold as four out of the five farm members have a gross income of over $100,000. This circle is looking to establish a baseline common understanding of financial terms and measures to allow them to talk about our farm finances together.

Chicago Colectiva Ukulima (Collective Earth) Circle

This circle has eight members representing six farms. The circle is open to Black and Brown Farmers and organizes membership around radicalized ethnicities and oppressed peoples. The members are beginning farmers with less than ten years of experience who are Chicago Based (predominantly south and westside).

Southwest Wisconsin Organic Apple Growers Circle

This circle is composed of three farmers, all of whom have organic apple operations. They require a minimum $25,000 gross income for membership. This circle is looking to better understand their financial data such as costs of production and the general input demands of apple production labor requirements, cost of inputs and amounts used, yields, and prices.

Questions?

Contact Farmer Training

​Partners and Funders:

​The Farm Viability Circles program is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2019-49400-30072.