Ag Business Boot Camp
Helping Arizona Farmers Thrive
Are you ready to take your farm to the next level? The Arizona Ag Business Boot Camp is here to help small and beginning farmers in Arizona build the skills, confidence, and tools to succeed in the business of farming. As you work towards creating a resilient and successful farming business, this 8-week hybrid program is designed to meet you where you are and help you grow.
There will be two cohorts in 2025:
Southern Arizona (Tucson) — June 30 - August 18
Northern Arizona (Camp Verde) — October 27 - December 15
What You’ll Gain
Through a mix of peer-to-peer learning, webinars, 1-on-1 tailored support, and hands-on workshops, you’ll:
Develop a strong business plan and clear goals.
Explore opportunities to fund your farm and grow your operation.
Learn how to expand your markets and how to connect with diverse buyers.
Get guidance on food safety certifications and value-added products.
Discover impactful marketing strategies to share your farm’s story.
Plus, you’ll have opportunities to tour successful farms and facilities and connect with a supportive community of fellow Arizona farmers.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion at graduation.
Southern Cohort Program Details
Dates: June 30 - August 18, 2025
Schedule: Mondays, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
In-person: Tucson (4 sessions)
Online: Zoom (4 sessions)
Special onsite tours: Located in or near Tucson
Enrollment capped at 15 participants.
Cost: Enrollment is fully covered by the Southwest Regional Food Business Center (SWRFBC).
Curriculum
Week 1 (In-person)
Welcome & Orientation
Ag Business Fundamentals Pt 1
Week 2 (Online)
Ag Business Fundamentals Pt 2
Week 3 (Online)
Marketing & Sales
Week 4 (In-person)
Tour: Agritourism
Week 5 (Online)
Production & Supply Chain Management
Week 6 (In-person)
Tour: Value-added Products & Market Channels
Week 7 (Online)
Food Safety & Certification Pathways
Week 8 (In-person)
Breakfast
Business Plan Presentations
Graduation
Read More From the Curriculum
Funding
Grant Opportunities Airtable resource
Food Safety and Certifications
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) blog
Value-added Products and Commercial Kitchens
Need a Commercial Kitchen? Here’s Where to Find Them & How to Create Your Own blog
How Value-Added Products Beef Up Revenues for Arizona Grass Raised Beef Company blog
Business Planning
Aggregation, Processing and Distribution
Distribution Channels resource
Localizing the Invisible Middle blog
How Little Colorado Meats is Bringing Back Local Meat Processing blog
Selling to Diverse Markets
Accepting SNAP and WIC resource
Getting into Retail/Wholesale Channels resource
The Power of Institutional Food Procurement blog
Getting Local Food into Arizona Hospitals blog
Getting Local Food into Arizona Schools blog