This eConsult uses the Business Risk Workbook (hereon referred to as the Workbook) - an Excel program for business planning and risk management assessment. Developed for dairy farmers, this tool will assess the viability of a transition from conventional to organic dairy farming based upon a variety of information inputs. Together with your eConsultant you will work your way through the Workbook to analyze the risk associated with taking your dairy operation into organic production and explore options to manage the risk should you decide to go forward with organic production. Outcomes are based on your current farm financials, farm practices and knowledge of organic production.

The Organic Dairy Business Risk eConsult and Workbook will:

• provide reflection on your personal and farm business transition - management challenges and opportunities
• assess your current knowledge of organic production for dairy - crop and livestock
• provide a realistic picture of your current financial situation (cost of production)
• approximate your financial situation (cost of production) as an organic producer in transition year 3 (the riskiest year of transition)
• provide a business risk assessment tool you can use to create various ‘what-if’ production scenarios and reference as you take the next steps towards transition

The Workbook is accompanied by a User’s Manual. As you work your way through the User’s Manual, each unit contains an introduction, list of objective(s), tips and next steps, in addition to step-by-step instruction on using the Workbook and the eConsult process. Approximately 1 hour per unit is scheduled for an online, one-on-one eConsult.

Periodically, and with the participant’s permission, Organic Meadow field staff may be invited into the eConsult for in-depth discussion and to answer specific questions. A more formal involvement with field staff is scheduled in the interpretation and analysis portion of the eConsult. If you already have a production consultant you would like to invite to participate in this process, please feel free to make that request and the consult will be arranged.

 REGISTRATION: FULL (please try again later)

Privacy and Confidentiality
This eConsult uses personal information including financial reports and therefore depends on a trusting relationship between the eConsultant and client. All information provided is in confidence and will not be shared with anyone. Organic Meadows field staff will be brought into the process with client permission only. If participants wish to withdraw from the eConsult, they can do so at any time and any copies of personal records and data collected will be destroyed or returned within 90 days of eConsult completion.