Boots to Business Reboot for Veteran Beginning Farmers and Ranchers -- with VBOC

Event description

The Veterans Business Outreach Center's Boots to Business entrepreneurial training for military veterans interested in Farming & Ranching

Boots to Business (B2B) is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals, while introducing resources to support you in business development. We are pleased to announce Boots to Business Reboot for Farmers and Ranchers, in partnership with the USDA, designed specifically for those with an interest in developing an agriculture-based business. This one-day, virtual session, presented on April 23, 2026 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST, will feature speakers from across the USDA, farmer veteran business owners, SBA resource partners and industry experts from across the country.

The industry-specific curriculum aids those interested in exploring agriculture -based business ownership by leading participants through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and providing foundational knowledge required to develop a business plan. Participants are introduced to a broad spectrum of entrepreneurial business concepts and resources available to access start-up capital, technical assistance, contracting opportunities, and more. Topics will include:

• What is Entrepreneurship?
• Homestead vs. Business Opportunity?
• Doing Your Market Research – Who is buying what you are growing/raising?
• Financing Your Venture – Short term and Long Range
• Selecting The Correct Legal Structure for your Farm/Ranch
• The Economics of Agriculture
• Business Planning – From idea to roadmap
• SBA/USDA Resources for You

Active-Duty Service members (including National Guard and Reserve), Veterans of all eras, and spouses are eligible to participate.