Browse Programs

Through approachable learning activities, this badge gives you a real-world, no-fluff look at what it actually takes to buy and take over a business successfully. By the end of this minicourse, you will be better able to identify and articulate your “why” – the driving force behind your search to acquire an entrepreneurial venture, which frames the search process and the aspects you’ll want to evaluate in potential acquisitions. You will also develop a better understanding of how that search process typically unfolds, including elements like business valuation, conducting due diligence as a buyer, financing the purchase, and the types of documents needed to prepare for a purchase. Those who earn the Foundations badge can also enroll in a BuyME Advanced workshop, where they can apply their skills to create a business acquisition plan, receiving additional training and support from University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Business School experts.

If you want to strengthen your business and prepare for the unexpected quickly and effectively, you’re in the right place! In just under two hours, you’ll explore the key principles of business resilience through engaging lessons, practical tools, and real-world strategies. From crisis management to operational systems and financial preparedness, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to bounce back stronger from disruptions and adapt to change with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re launching a new venture or leading a long-standing enterprise, this course offers immediately applicable insights to keep your business agile, sustainable, and ready for whatever comes next.

Welcome to Finances in a Flash! If you want to take control of your business finances quickly and easily, you’re in the right place! This interactive and practical course, offered by the Maine Business School and UMaine Extension, provides essential financial management knowledge designed for busy professionals. In just two hours, you’ll gain a solid foundation in small business financial management through engaging lessons, fun videos, and interactive activities. We’ll cover key topics like creating a solid budget, understanding your cash flow, building an emergency fund, and the importance of financial statements—giving you the tools and confidence to make smarter, more informed decisions. Whether just getting started or fine-tuning your skills, this course makes financial management easy, actionable, and immediately applicable to strengthen your business.

Marketing in a Flash: Core Concepts for Small Businesses Boost your business’s reach and impact with our concise, high-value training. Designed specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs, “Marketing in a Flash” equips you with the foundational marketing strategies needed to connect with your audience and drive growth. In this intensive session, you will gain the skills to build a marketing plan from the ground up: Customer Personas: Identify and deeply understand your target audience. The 4 Ps of Marketing: Master the core components of Product, Price, Place, and Promotion, and learn how to optimize each for your specific business. Adaptable Strategies: Learn how to pivot and adjust your marketing approach using the 4 Ps framework when market conditions change. Tracking Success: Discover how to effectively use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and marketing metrics to evaluate whether your strategies are working.

Drive innovation for greater business resilience and sustainability. You will: Learn & apply key tools and concepts for innovation and building a sustainable approach for your business; Map your current business model and identified opportunities for its sustainable re-design and adaptation; Discover prioritize, & craft an implementation plan to pursue opportunities that impact people, planet, and profit. Level 1: build a foundation for sustainable innovation in your business - sustainability, business modelling, and innovation concepts. Level 2: work side-by-side with program instructors & peer organizations to develop a new sustainable roadmap for your organization. Level 3: work with coaching support to guide development on an implementation strategy for sustainable change in your business or organization, helping you troubleshoot plan development, and creating a pitch for sustainable change within your organization for stakeholders.

Is farming right for you? This self-paced course will help you answer this question. Through the use of educational videos, short readings, and a workbook, you will begin to lay the groundwork for a successful agricultural business.

Online course teaching the basics of farms and farming, including crops, livestock, and natural resources common to Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

In this self-paced course, users develop a business plan through educational videos and readings on researching and compiling information for a successful farm business plan. Quizzes throughout the course are required to earn a certificate of completion.

Entrepreneurial Coaching provides agricultural or food-related business entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a trained agriculture service provider. Coaches help entrepreneurs evaluate business concepts and expansion strategies — covering startup assistance, resource identification, business and marketing plan creation, and regulatory compliance. Sessions are tailored to each entrepreneur's unique situation and goals.

Advance your career in the wine industry with WSU’s flexible, online certificate program - covering grape production, winemaking, and business fundamentals from industry experts.

Start or grow your farm business with Virginia’s statewide support network - offering training, mentorship, and planning tools tailored to beginning and transitioning farmers.

Get one-on-one help with farm and forest business planning. Services include full business plans, financial analysis, and marketing strategies to improve operation profitability.

Join this statewide initiative to fight food waste and hunger. Learn how to recover surplus food and strengthen your local food system through workshops and community efforts.

This hands-on training helps veterans and beginning farmers transition into vegetable production with business planning and fieldwork.

Thinking of starting a veterinary practice? This free online course walks you through everything from market research and financial planning to marketing and operations. Delivered as monthly webinars, each session earns 1 hour of CE credit. Perfect for rural entrepreneurs.

Discover how to combine farming and tourism to boost your income. This UMES Extension program helps farmers create engaging, educational experiences for visitors while promoting local agriculture.

Start strong in agriculture with UMD’s Beginning Farmer Success Program - offering mentorship, business planning, and technical training for new and transitioning farmers.

Get expert guidance on transitioning to organic farming in Hawai‘i with UHOT’s USDA-funded program - offering mentoring, certification support, and workforce development for sustainable agriculture.

Earn a certificate in farm management and business skills. This program helps you build practical knowledge to run a successful farm.

New to farming? This seasonal, hands-on training equips aspiring growers with essential skills in soil health, pest management, and business planning - plus valuable networking with ag professionals.

This two-year leadership development program equips professionals in agriculture and natural resources with the skills to influence policy, lead teams, and advocate for the industry at local and global levels.

TOCC’s program teaches Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and sustainability skills to help students start businesses or find jobs without leaving their communities.

This virtual certificate program trains market managers and vendors in best practices around food safety, legal issues, customer engagement, and vendor relations - equipping participants to run or support successful farmers markets.

AgWorks connects Pennsylvania agricultural businesses with workforce development services, training programs, and employment resources to help address labor needs and support industry growth. The initiative offers guidance on navigating state and federal workforce systems, including funding opportunities and partnerships with local agencies.

Want to boost your farm market’s success? This self-paced online course teaches you how to keep produce fresh, display it attractively, and improve customer service. Includes videos, handouts, and a final quiz for certification. Great for market staff, managers, and vendors.

Learn how to market your grain effectively with this workshop. Covers contracts, hedging, storage, and crop insurance. Great for farmers and ag professionals.

These seminars help ag lenders stay informed on market trends, policy updates, and farm financials. Hosted by OSU Extension, they foster stronger relationships between lenders and educators.

Turn your farm dream into a business with NC Farm School. Learn strategic planning, marketing, and budgeting from Extension experts and local farmers.

Build leadership skills to support local food systems. This course covers food system basics, facilitation, planning, and evaluation. Offered online or in person. Certificate awarded after completion.

Iowa State’s Food Systems Certifications help you build skills to support local food systems. Choose from Local Food Leader or Resilient Food Systems tracks. Learn strategic planning, leadership, and disaster preparedness. Ideal for educators, community leaders, and food system professionals.

Stay ahead of labor laws and workforce trends with Cornell’s Labor Roadshow - featuring expert-led sessions on compliance, employee engagement, and farm management best practices.

Become a better farm supervisor with Cornell’s online leadership courses. Learn how to train employees, give feedback, and build strong teams. Complete all six courses to earn a certificate. Scholarships available for dairy producers.

Designed for beginning farmers, this program covers business planning, production systems, and marketing - ideal for launching a successful farm enterprise.