Leslie's Favorite Goat Things
Here's where you can find all my favorite things on the business and marketing side of running my meat goat farm. I love sharing the tools and resources that have helped me grow my herd and farm to, in turn, help others with raising goats as well.
Financials & Other Business Basics
QuickBooks Online is my accounting software. It's fairly easy to use once it's set up. The best advice I got from an accountant in my Annie's Project class, is to set up your accounts based on the Schedule F categories. That way it is easier for you or your accountant to do your taxes. I create sub-accounts for business planning/tracking purposes.
There are a lot of online forums for help, or a phone call to their help desk will usually save an issue I can't figure out (though it's rare). I love that with the app I can take a picture of my receipt and then instantly create an expense transaction. Done, no need to sort through receipts later. There's also an option to give your accountant access to your files, which we do at tax season. I also like the QuickBooks GO Payment app, where you can take payments in person with a card reader.
Here's an online code for 50% the first 6 months of your subscription.
There are a lot of online forums for help, or a phone call to their help desk will usually save an issue I can't figure out (though it's rare). I love that with the app I can take a picture of my receipt and then instantly create an expense transaction. Done, no need to sort through receipts later. There's also an option to give your accountant access to your files, which we do at tax season. I also like the QuickBooks GO Payment app, where you can take payments in person with a card reader.
Here's an online code for 50% the first 6 months of your subscription.
Compeer Financial (or another Farm Credit agency) - We've worked with them on financing our farm and other farm projects. They also offer many educational programs for farmers on bookkeeping, risk management practices and other topics. USDA FSA is also a resource for accessing low interest lows, especially when you're getting started.
Farm Commons - a great legal resource for small farms, including creating legal documents, business formation, etc.
Google Suite - Set up your own business email. Be and look professional. This will also help reduce the odds of your emails being sent to spam. It's a reasonable monthly fee.
Direct Marketing in Wisconsin
DATCP Local Foods Guide: Great guide for knowing what type of licensing you need to sell your farm products and what agency to contact.
County Health Inspector: In many counties the County Health Inspector will be the one you'll work with to apply for certain food facility licences and doing the inspections, even if it is a state license. They can also be a good resource as you get started.
DATCP Regional Meat Inspector: Can also be a helpful contact on licensing requirements and other questions
County Ag Extension Agent
Our USDA Inspected Processor: Block & Cleaver Artisan Meats
County Health Inspector: In many counties the County Health Inspector will be the one you'll work with to apply for certain food facility licences and doing the inspections, even if it is a state license. They can also be a good resource as you get started.
DATCP Regional Meat Inspector: Can also be a helpful contact on licensing requirements and other questions
County Ag Extension Agent
Our USDA Inspected Processor: Block & Cleaver Artisan Meats
Marketing Materials
Sticker Mule - I use this service for branded stickers. The quality is great and turn around is super fast. If you're on their email list they often run great promotions, which is a nice way to try out different kinds of stickers a low cost rate (instead of placing a big order). Here's a $10 off coupon code on a $10 or more order.
Printing: I use Moo.com to print our business cards, recipe cards and other specialty printing. Here's a 25% off coupon for your first order with Moo.
Design: I use Canva for basic / quick design work. I had been using their monthly paid service, which gives you a broader range of tools. It's a good option if you don't want to invest in a design platform. I'm now using Adobe Suite now.
Promotional Materials: We've used AnyPromo.com and have been happy with their products thus far. The freezer bag we use is here. Here's a $15 off coupon code, which can usually be used with their other sales and coupons.
Freezer bags and other promotional materials
Freezer bags and other promotional materials
Online Marketing
Website Host & Manager: Having a website is a must in today's business environment, even if you're not selling online. I use Weebly, but I know many people are happy with Square as well, Here's a link to a 10% off discount when you sign up for a paid plan subscription with Weebly.
Email Marketing: Email may sound outdated, but it is a must! You own your relationship with your followers, not the social media giants. It is illegal to send blind carbon copy mass emails. Eventually, your email account will be shut down. So, it's important to use an actual email service, which allows your customers to opt-out at anytime. I started by using Mail Chimp, which has a free entry level service. I'm now using a paid plan through Convert Kit to allow me to better segment and serve my customers.
Online Sales / eCommerce: We are in the process of moving to GrazeCart.
Facebook: For those who use it with marketing, it's not quite like it used to be, but it's still expected to have a presence (a Facebook page) and keep it active. Targeted Facebook ads can be effective if used correctly. Events are a great tool. Check out the Facebook for Business page.
Instagram: This is one of the fastest growing social media platforms due to it's ability to foster a more authentic, relationship-based environment with your followers. Plus, who doesn't love great photography? A bonus is that you can share your posts to Facebook.
Video Editing and Music: I like to use iMovie. It's free on your iPad or MacBook. If you have an iPhone, it's a one-time $5 fee. Well-worth the investment. I use my iPhone to take all my farm video and photography. It's easy, simple and high quality,
I use Soundstripe for royalty-free music for videos. It's a monthly subscription for unlimited downloads. When I turn on my subscription for a month, I have several projects in mind and find music for those projects, then end my service until I need it again.
I use Soundstripe for royalty-free music for videos. It's a monthly subscription for unlimited downloads. When I turn on my subscription for a month, I have several projects in mind and find music for those projects, then end my service until I need it again.
Google Business - Set up your business for free. It's a great way to start getting Google to recognize what your business and website is all about. It also helps your business show up right away in a search using your business name.
Podcasts
There are many podcasts I enjoy listening too, but these are some of my favorite business and marketing ones: Profitable Mindset, My Digital Farmer, Online Marketing Made Easy
Education & Courses
Here are a number of resources to get your business started or further your foundation in marketing:
- M5 Small Business Academy/Small Business from Scratch Course or the Small Business Bootcamp - Taught and created by Mary Heffernan of Five Marys Farms in Fort Jones, Calif. I'm currently enrolled in the full class.
- 3 Cow Marketing: Online farm marketing course, lots of great free resources from Charlotte Smith. I've heard her speak at the GrassWorks Conference and really got a lot out of her materials
- Annie's Project - often led by Extension and/or Farm Credit. I took this intesive course while I was just getting started with my farm.
- Land Stewardship Project - Farm Dreams, Farm Beginnings or Journyperson courses
Office Supplies
ULINE, Amazon, Costco
Note some of these are “affiliate links” that we recieve a small commission for referring - thanks for supporting by buying through these links! But, I use everything on the farm.