Curriculum
Farm Business Course Curriculum
8-Week Live Online Program
THRYV Institute — Regenerative Farming & Farm Business Education
This curriculum is designed to help aspiring growers, market gardeners, homesteaders, and agricultural entrepreneurs build profitable regenerative farm systems through practical education, operational planning, and real-world implementation.
Each week combines live instruction, discussion, guided assignments, and strategic planning exercises designed to support long-term success in regenerative agriculture and farm business development.
Week 1 — Course Introduction & Farm Vision
Topics Covered
Welcome & cohort introductions
Understanding the THRYV regenerative philosophy
Introduction to regenerative agriculture
Defining your farm vision and long-term goals
Exploring different farm business models
Understanding local food systems and opportunities
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
identify personal farm goals,
understand regenerative farming principles,
and start developing a clear business direction.
Assignment
Write a "dream farm" vision statement describing:
your goals,
the type of operation you want,
your desired lifestyle,
and your long-term farm vision.
Week 2 — Regenerative Farming & Soil Health
Topics Covered
Soil biology basics
Nutrient density principles
Organic matter and biological systems
Water retention and soil resilience
Introduction to regenerative growing practices
Biodiversity and ecosystem health
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
understand living soil systems,
identify regenerative growing practices,
and evaluate ways to improve long-term soil health.
Assignment
Create a regenerative improvement plan for your current or future growing space.
Week 3 — Farm Planning & Operational Strategy
Topics Covered
SMART goal development
Farm planning frameworks
Time management and operational systems
Infrastructure planning
Seasonal production planning
Risk management basics
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
create operational goals,
improve planning clarity,
and understand scalable farm systems.
Assignment
Complete SMART goal worksheets and begin outlining your operational farm plan.
Week 4 — Market Gardening Business Foundations
Topics Covered
Introduction to market gardening
Understanding which crops are most profitable
Crop spacing and production efficiency
Small-scale farm economics
Enterprise budgeting basics
Revenue forecasting
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
understand core market garden business principles,
identify profitable crop opportunities,
and evaluate production efficiency.
Assignment
Create a sample budget for one crop including:
production costs,
labor,
pricing,
and projected profitability.
Research pricing at local markets or grocery stores and develop a basic pricing strategy.
Week 5 — Farm Business Planning & Financial Systems
Topics Covered
Farm business structures
Budgeting and financial planning
Understanding startup costs
Record keeping and operational tracking
Long-term business sustainability
Developing realistic growth strategies
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
understand foundational farm financial systems,
improve operational organization,
and continue building their business plans.
Assignment
Develop a draft business narrative and operational outline using previous planning worksheets.
Week 6 — Marketing, Branding & Local Food Sales
Topics Covered
Marketing regenerative agriculture
Building customer trust
Farmers markets and CSA systems
Direct-to-consumer sales
Social media and storytelling
Community-supported agriculture
Value-added opportunities
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
understand local food marketing systems,
identify customer opportunities,
and develop foundational marketing strategies.
Assignment
Create a basic marketing plan for your future or existing farm business.
Week 7 — Business Plan Development & Review
Topics Covered
Bringing operational systems together
Reviewing financial assumptions
Refining marketing strategies
Evaluating production systems
Identifying strengths and opportunities
Preparing for implementation
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
strengthen their farm business plans,
improve operational clarity,
and prepare for practical execution.
Assignment
Finalize your regenerative farm business framework and prepare your presentation materials.
Week 8 — Student Presentations & Course Wrap-Up
Topics Covered
Student business plan presentations
Group feedback and discussion
Operational next steps
Building long-term resilience
Continuing education and mentorship
Course wrap-up and future planning
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
present their farm business concepts,
receive feedback,
and leave with a clearer roadmap for implementation.
Program Features
Included With Enrollment
Weekly live online instruction
Interactive discussions and Q&A
Practical assignments and worksheets
Business planning frameworks
Regenerative farming education
Community-based cohort learning
Real-world implementation guidance
Who This Program Is For
This course is designed for:
beginning farmers,
market gardeners,
homesteaders,
CSA operators,
local food entrepreneurs,
and growers seeking regenerative business systems.
No prior farming experience is required.