Business plan to include, but not limited to, a description of the farm business, current operations and management, and existing market; goals and objectives for the farm for the next 3 years; a Use of Funds section listing planned use of grant funds with cost estimates and owner contribution including any required match and description of intended impact of the investments; and for AIP and FVEP, status of any succession planning done to date and any related needs. A one-page Executive Summary is to be included at the beginning of the plan document that contains a brief farm description, summarizes main goal(s), planned use of grant funds with $ amount and any required matching funds, and a statement describing expected impact(s) of the grant project(s) on the farm operation, as related to efficiency, productivity, cost savings, and/or overall viability. Either a comprehensive plan format or a more focused enterprise plan format may be used as appropriate, based on preference by the farm participant – either must contain required plan sections as outlined above. Ray Raposa owns and operates Hay Ray’s Farm, producing baleage from 120 acres which is sold mainly through a related and separate feed store business on the property along with additional products. Ray owns approximately 118 acres protected by APR, approximately 30 acres of which are in hay production, 25 acres of pasture, 60 acres of nonmanaged woodland, and an additional 90 acres of land are leased from his son for hay production. Ray manages the farm with his wife and son and has managed the farm for 38 years. The proposed grant project is a farm building to provide needed storage for equipment, dry hay, fertilizer, and other farm supplies.
