Agriculture Fruit Farm Business Plan

Executive SummaryIntroduction

Farmers Group is being formed from the acquisition of two successful vegetable farms, Green Acres Vegetable Farm and Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm. The latter has long-researched horticultural and agronomic techniques, as well as compost and soil blending technology now being promoted by the DEO, the USDA, the EPA, and other government agencies.

The company is a combination of cutting edge, highest quality, and efficient food technology and production. It is committed to the improvement of food taste and nutritional quality. It is being founded to build upon an extensive array of biological and horticultural education, experience, and the research of its founders. This is further coupled with the experience of James Jackson, the current manager of Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm, and consultation with the present owner of Green Acres Vegetable Farm, Errol Grynthum.

The Company

Farmers Group is an Alabama-based company, located in Calhoun county, whose mission is to provide high quality, nutritional, and flavorful vegetables and strawberries for consumption in both near and remote regions of the United States. Additionally the company will provide high quality planting materials for use nationwide.

Farmers Group is the buyout and merger of two successful vegetable farms. The idea behind the business is to provide healthy and delicious vegetables and fruit to the public. In addition to vegetables and fruits, the company plans to produce and market manure compost garden amendment products.

Farmers Group's management team is led by Mr. James Jackson as Business Manager, who has extensive knowledge of the industry. The company expects to employ five temporary employees during the equipment re-location phase, four employees on a permanent basis, and three part-time employees.

Products

Farmers Group's plans to concentrate on vegetables as its primary product. This includes growing carrots, romaine lettuce, leeks, red onions, summer squash, spinach, pumpkins, winter squash, globe beets, and winter greens. The company's farm, will have a capacity sufficient to produce in excess of 200,000 lbs. of vegetables per year.

The company plans to utilize traditional and more advanced plant technologies to produce new cultivars of strawberries and lima beans with locally-adapted superior characteristics for the Gulf-South growing area.

This strategy will allow Farmers Group to produce crops during most of the year and will allow double cultivation of the greenhouses with almost no additional heating necessary in the winter months.

The Market

Over the past decade the market for organic food has grown by 15% to 20% and every year 40% of U.S. consumers occasionally reach for something labeled organic. Sales for organic foods are expected to top $11 billion this year. Sales by farmers' markets have increased by 79% since 1994, to 3,137 markets in all 50 states, and the number of farmers who sell at them has more than tripled to 67,000. About three million Americans a week now get their fresh food directly from the farmers who grew it. This makes for an excellent environment for a industry participant such as Farmers Group that is willing to compete in a niche market and be first to the market with new products.

Financial Considerations

The company is seeking $830,000 in both short-term and long-term loans to finance the purchase of Farmers Group's new farm, upgrade the facilities, and cover start-up expenses and first year losses. It is estimated that the company will begin to make a profit in Year 2 of operations. The company does not expect to have any cash flow problems during the first four years of operations.

1.1 Mission

Farmers Group is an Alabama-based company, whose mission is to provide high quality, nutritional, and flavorful vegetables and strawberries for consumption in both near and remote regions of the United States. Additionally the company will provide high quality planting materials for use nationwide.

Company Summary

Farmers Group is the buyout and merger of two successful vegetable farms. The idea behind the business is to provide healthy and delicious vegetables and fruit to the public. In addition to vegetables and fruits, the company plans to produce and market manure compost garden amendment products.

2.1 Start-up Summary

Projected revenues for Year 1 to Year 5 are $-40,000, $8,500, $50,000, $70,800 and $82,500 respectively. Additionally the company estimates that once fully operational, income per product, per annum would be as follows; vegetable ($50,000) manure ($20,000) and horticulture ($10,000).

Start-upRequirementsStart-up ExpensesLegal $19,000Facilities modification $300,000Seed $600Organic Herbicides/Pesticides $5,000Consultants $25,000Insurance $10,000Research and development $25,000Expensed equipment $250,000Other $50,000Total Start-up Expenses $684,600Start-up AssetsCash Required $245,400Start-up Inventory $150,000Other Current Assets $250,000Long-term Assets $500,000Total Assets $1,145,400

Total Requirements $1,830,0002.2 Company Locations and Facilities

The farm is located in Calhoun county approximately 4.5 miles outside of Jasper.

The operation will utilize:

One large greenhouse, enclosing the vegetable area.

Horticultural greenhouse.

Filters, water treatment devices.

Backwash facilities.

Outdoor vegetable facilities.

Business office building.

An additional portion of the operation will be the manure composting facility. Local and regional dairy operations have trouble with manure accumulations, and the company hopes to enter into contracts in removing the manure. Farmers Group will then turn this into a saleable product. The company plans to supply the region's nursery outlets with a top-quality, premium garden and soil amendment product for area horticulture.

Products

While at Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm James Jackson, steadily used and experimented with compost and fertilized with manure of different kinds. The most important things with manure usage is to eliminate the viable weed seed drawback by thoroughly composting the manure, to add enough cellulose on product to bring it to the proper ratio and to bring its water content to proper levels. A properly composted manure product has no seeds that will germinate and proliferate in it. Additionally, a properly composted manure product has something a chemically formulated synthetic fertilizer does not have: enzymes. Enzymes are critical for producing a truly nutritious and superior flavored product. Research has shown that the superior flavor of a fruit or vegetable is closely related to vitamin content and folic acid content in green vegetables.

The state-of-the-art vegetable equipment starting up in the new location utilizes revolutionary harvest designs that:

Allow faster, longer growth

Cut the harvest labor by over 80%

Cut the harvest time and by so doing:

o Decrease loss in weight gain, and

o Eliminate weight loss from shock.

3.1 Product DescriptionVegetables

Farmers Group's first line of production will be the green vegetable and red vegetable. During the summer months Farmers Group will be growing carrots, romaine lettuce, leeks, red onions, summer squash, and spinach. In the fall, production will center on pumpkins, winter squash, globe beets and winter greens. With the growth of the popular organic food niche, and the federal government's new organic labeling policy, Farmers Group will focus its produce on the intermediate organic label. This means that approximately 70% of the food production process will be organic and all foods produced by Farmers Group will be eligible for the "contains organic ingredients" label. The company's farm will have a capacity sufficient to produce in excess of 200,000 lbs. of vegetables per year.

Strawberries

The company's more technical horticultural aspects include efforts to utilize traditional and more advanced plant technologies to produce new cultivars of crops such as strawberries and lima beans with locally-adapted superior characteristics for the Gulf-South growing area. Flavor, disease resistance, adaptability to green-house culture, fall and winter season production are factors being combined in greens cultivation to tap into the $2.99 pint berry market of the fall and winter.

Farmers Group's strategy is a combination of the two technologies during the cool winter months which will allow the utilization of normally wasted space in the greenhouses for the high price winter greens production. This will allow double cultivation of the greenhouses with almost no additional heating necessary in this climate.

3.2 Technology

The company is currently seeking contact with Alabama universities in order to learn about and acquire new hybrids of strawberries and vegetables that are hardier and grow faster in our local microclimates. These and other available species and systems will be constantly tracked.

In addition to the above, the company is seeking contacts at Universities in Italy and Germany that are involved in greens, and will continue the quest for the best flavored, large, and firm fall and winter strawberries.

Currently, Farmers Group is conducting research to test certain clay-sand-manure mixture levels to obtain better, cheaper bedding and agronomic soil mixtures that are more effective than the standard used in the industry in Alabama (Pine bark mulch-composted).

3.3 Future Products

In the meantime, the company would like to explore the possibilities of crayfish production. Farmers Group believes this to be a high revenue venture with retail prices running in excess of $15.00 per pound in most places. The company also believes that if crayfish production is successful then it could become the number one endeavor of Farmers Group.

Currently there is a defunct fish farming production facility with all the necessary capital equipment approximately two miles from the current farm. Purchase of this facility would allow Farmers Group to begin production and to capitalize on this higher margin product. What makes this most attractive is the two ventures have significant joint cost potential, allowing for a reduction in marginal costs for all products and creation of real economies of scale that would provide Farmers Group with a competitive advantage.

Market Analysis Summary

At a time when eating has become a political statement, the government is paying up to $19 billion a year to subsidize commodity crops in a glutted global market. Federal officials say that nearly 40% of all farm income now comes directly from government subsidies, and the farm bill signed by President Bush this year will pay $190 billion over 10 years, which includes $83 billion in new spending. However, there are two market niches that are growing at an amazing rate, the organic market and the simple farmers' market.

The organic market provides less than 2% of the nation's food supply and takes up less than 1% of its cropland. But organic farms are flourishing as never before. Over the past decade the market for organic food has grown by 15 to 20% and every year 40% of U.S. consumers occasionally reach for something labeled organic. Sales for organic foods are expected to top $11 billion this year. Conglomerates as big as Heinz and General Mills are now launching or buying organic lines and selling them in mainstream supermarkets.*

With no subsidies and no middle men, farmers' markets have increased by 79% since 1994, to 3,137 markets in all 50 states, and the number of farmers who sell at them has more than tripled to 67,000, the Agriculture Department has reported. About three million Americans a week now get their fresh food directly from the farmers who grew it. "Right now, green markets are growing faster than anything in agriculture," said Dr. Steven Blank, a farm economist at the University of California at Davis and the author of three books on the subject.

These numbers, of course, represent a very thin slice of the big pie of national food. Farmers' markets reported about $1 billion in sales last year, compared with more than $200 billion in overall farm revenue. Barely 3% of the nation's two million farmers sell some of what they grow directly to consumers.

But in an era of big-box food stores, when 10 major grocery chains control the purchase of 50% of fresh food, the proliferation of open-air markets has come out of nowhere, giving more consumers an option and allowing many small farmers to stay in business.**

With these trends in mind, Farmers Groups will concentrate on:

Wholesale live vegetable markets nationwide that sell organic produce.

Fresh farmers' markets.

Fall and winter greens market.

Nursery outlets selling composted manure.

*Source: Certified Organic Geoffrey Cowley NEWSWEEK September 30, 2000.

**Source: Farmers Markets Booming Across US Timothy Egan New York Times, September 29, 2000.

4.1 Market Segmentation

The target customers include oriental vegetable markets demanding organic and semi-organic green vegetables, vegetable processors, and private individual buyers through direct selling and farmers markets. The company will continue to service the existing customers of the purchased vegetable farms. In its greens production the company will target virtually all main food outlets. The company plans to use the Internet as one of its marketing channels in the future.

The company's target customers will be as follows:

Vegetables:

Oriental vegetable markets demanding organic and semi-organic vegetables.

Vegetable processors.

Alabama National Guard.

People approaching the farm.

Roadside stands and farmers' markets.Product-Bagged Manure:

Nursery and Garden Centers.

Private customers approaching facility.

Bulk customers.

The company will also take over customers from the previous owner of the vegetable facility. Farmers Group has an established list of present customers of Errol Grynthum's vegetable farm, which is a major asset to the sales of the company.

4.2 Industry Analysis

Alabama is one of the premier farming areas of the eastern United States. This creates an intensely competitive environment with a large number of industry participants. Since almost all of the produce is considered to be commodities, and large scale buyers are more consolidated than the farmers themselves, overall margins are small and rivalries for wholesaler contracts are strong. Competitive threats come from three main segments:

Imported vegetables of lower quality.>

Mississippi pound raised vegetables.

Alabama vegetable producers.

Direct competition in the individual buyers market segment comes from three farms in the immediate area including the Anniston farm, Organics-To-You farm, and the Terrance Livingston vegetable farm. Each of these competitors has produce stands as well as selling to local farmers' markets. However, with the exception of Organics-To-You Farm, none of the others focus on a niche market and depend heavily on federal subsidies.

4.3 Target Market Segment Strategy

The Market Analysis Pie shown below reflects the total number of potential customers for Farmers Group. The number of Oriental markets and vegetable processors represent national estimates of industry participants, whereas the number of individual buyers represents the estimated annual number of individuals that will be driving by the farm.

Market AnalysisYear 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Potential Customers Growth CAGRVegetable processors 3% 5,000 5,150 5,305 5,464 5,628 3.00%Oriental vegetable markets

1% 25,000 25,250 25,503 25,758 26,016 1.00%

Individual buyers 5% 300,000 315,000 330,750 347,288 364,652 5.00%Total 4.68% 330,000 345,400 361,558 378,510 396,296 4.68%

Strategy and Implementation Summary

The Farmers Group strategy is to profitably and efficiently utilize present and future agricultural technology in the production of vegetables. The company, by acquiring an existing profitable vegetable farm with all the necessary custom-innovated equipment, will gain a significant industry advantage. Additional application and utilization of horticultural technology in the production of strawberries will allow double utilization of the climate controled portion of the overhead. Farmers Group hopes to consolidate considerable goodwill already created by exercising the option of not adding another high-production facility to the present supply-demand scenario.

The company's goals in the first year are to:

Prepare the future site.

Relocate and expand Green Acres vegetable system and get it operational.

Integrate greens culture into the system.

Have the composting system in full production by early spring of the second year.

The company's long-term plan is to phase out whichever products are least lucrative and replace them with products that are practical and cost efficient.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Farmers Group's main competitive advantages are:

Efficient production utilizing greenhouses.

Reduced overhead by fully realizing crop output potential and economies of scale through joint costs.

Knowledge due to research since 1988.5.2 Marketing Strategy

Farmers Group will initially market and supply its products to target customers. The company is further exploring marketing opportunities on the Internet. To this extent, the company would like to set up a website to market its products.

The company will utilize aggressive advertising strategies to further market its products. These strategies include the promotion of products through the sponsoring of spots on cooking shows and exhibitions, and also engaging prominent chefs to help promote this fledgling industry.

5.2.1 Pricing Strategy

The company sets its pricing based on market rates as far as vegetable products are concerned.

Farmers Group's pricing for strawberries will exceed the average market price for the following reasons:

Taste sampling at outlets will be encouraged.

Unparalleled flavor superiority will addict greens tasters.

Promotion of pesticide-free, fumigant-free cultural techniques of soil, environment, ozone, and health-friendly

production techniques.5.3 Sales Strategy

At Farmers Group, the sales process is primarily the same for vegetables as it is for composting products, in that both products will be mainly sold through wholesale marketing. As in the past, live shipments will be delivered by contract carriers in special oxygenated tanks carrying 8,000 vegetables or more, and will be continued as demanded. Farmers Group's bagged manure products will be delivered and unloaded in sizable wholesale quantities by the pallet.

Smaller, more local orders will significantly increase the overall sales when the 300-450 live vegetables carrying tank system is put into service late in 2000 or early in 2001.

The company's average sales cycle from first contact to closing of the sale is approximately 3 to 12 days for vegetable products. Farmers Group plans to shorten this cycle. Furthermore, the company estimates that from first contact to sale conclusion, the cycle for fresh strawberries will run 3 days or less. Composted products sale cycle should run from 3 to 12 days.

Direct sales contacts of vegetable markets by delivery personnel, as well as cold calling by telephone of potential market outlets, will also be employed.

5.4 Strategic Alliances

The company has strategic alliances with:

Alabama State University Horticulture Department

Southeastern Alabama State University Biology Department

Dr. Michael Smith - Vegetable Specialist

James Edwards - Horticultural Inspection

Charles Newton - Wildlife

Alabama Wildlife

Mobile Nursery Center

Sales Forecast

The following table and charts show our projected sales.

Sales ForecastYear 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

SalesSales $575,000 $700,000 $850,000 $889,100 $927,331Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Total Sales $575,000 $700,000 $850,000 $889,100 $927,331Direct Cost of Sales Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5Sales $391,000 $478,100 $578,850 $601,032 $627,803Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $391,000 $478,100 $578,850 $601,032 $627,803

Management Summary

Farmers Group's management team is led by Mr. James Jackson, Business Manager, and the current manager of Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm, who has extensive knowledge of the industry and has been tracking vegetable trends for 30 years.

The company's management philosophy is based on responsibility and mutual respect. Farmers Group has an environment and structure that encourages productivity and respect for customers and fellow employees.

7.1 Personnel Plan

Overall, Farmers Group will have 12 personnel. The company expects to employ 5 temporary employees during the equipment re-location phase, 4 employees on a permanent basis, and 3 part-time employee. The Farmers Group team is organized into three groups:

Management

Management will be responsible for supervising and participating in the daily operations of the facility. Management consists of:

James Jackson, Business Manager, Full Time

Terry Howard, Executive Director, Full Time

Kevin Perry, Management Trainee, 3/4 Time

Victor Green, Management Trainee, 1/4 TimeDaily Maintenance

This group will consist of the following:

Henry Jones, Logistical Engineer, Full Time

Colin Henry, Heavy Equipment, Full Time

Michael Owen, Welder, 1/2 TimeContract Personnel

They will be utilized initially for the moving and setting up of the vegetable farm, greenhouses, and the building of the manure composting facility.

Personnel PlanYear 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Business Manager $25,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000Executive Director $25,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000Manager Trainee $9,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000Manager Trainee $4,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000Logistic engineer $18,000 $18,000 $18,000 $18,000 $18,000Heavy equipment $18,000 $18,000 $18,000 $18,000 $18,000Welder $3,500 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000Contract workers $15,000 $0 $0 $0 $0Total People 7 7 7 7 7Total Payroll $117,500 $111,000 $111,000 $111,000 $111,000

Financial Plan Summary

The following topics and tables outline our financial plan.

8.1 Start-up FundingFunding Requirements and Uses

The company is seeking to raise of $830,000 for the purpose of financing the acquisition of the Green Acres Vegetable Farm and Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm, facilities modifications, equipment, and funding operating expenses. Another $1,000,000 will be invested in the company by its four co-owners. The following is a breakdown of how the funds will be used:

Breakdown of Use of FundsAcquisition:

Property $1,300,000

Equipment System $400,000

Sub-total $1,700,000

Operating Expenses:

Salaries $80,000

Marketing and promotion $10,000

Other operating expenses $10,000

Sub-total $100,000

Total $1,800,000

Start-up FundingStart-up Expenses to Fund $684,600Start-up Assets to Fund $1,145,400Total Funding Required $1,830,000AssetsNon-cash Assets from Start-up $900,000Cash Requirements from Start-up $245,400Additional Cash Raised $0Cash Balance on Starting Date $245,400Total Assets $1,145,400Liabilities and CapitalLiabilitiesCurrent Borrowing $400,000Long-term Liabilities $400,000Accounts Payable (Outstanding Bills) $30,000Other Current Liabilities (interest-free) $0Total Liabilities $830,000CapitalPlanned InvestmentInvestor 1 $250,000Investor 2 $250,000Investor 3 $250,000Investor 4 $250,000Other $0Additional Investment Requirement $0Total Planned Investment $1,000,000Loss at Start-up (Start-up Expenses) ($684,600)Total Capital $315,400Total Capital and Liabilities $1,145,400Total Funding $1,830,0008.2 Important AssumptionsNature and Limitation of Projections

This financial projection is based on sales volume at the levels described in the sales forecast section and presents, to the best of management's knowledge, the company's expected assets, liabilities, capital, and revenues and expenses. The projections reflect management's judgement of the expected conditions and its expected course of action given the hypothetical assumptions.

Nature of Operations

The company is in the business of vegetable farming, greens cultivation, and composting. The company expects to be operating in 2000.

Revenues

The company's revenue is derived primarily from the sale of vegetables, strawberries, and bagged composted manure products.

Expenses

The company's expenses are primarily those of salaries, utilities, and insurance costs. Other expenses are based on management's estimates and industry averages.

General AssumptionsYear 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Plan Month 1 2 3 4 5Current Interest Rate 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00%Long-term Interest Rate 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00%Tax Rate 20.83% 20.00% 20.83% 20.00% 20.83%Other 0 0 0 0 08.3 Break-even Analysis

The company's break-even analysis is given below.

Break-even AnalysisMonthly Revenue Break-even $36,974Assumptions:Average Percent Variable Cost 68%Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost $11,832

8.4 Projected Profit and Loss

As the profit and loss table shows, Farmers Group expects a steady growth in profitability over the next few years.

http://www.bplans.com/agriculture_fruit_farm_business_plan/images/fedc26c8a6b248d8af4c590506efd795.png

Pro Forma Profit and LossYear 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Sales $575,000 $700,000 $850,000 $889,100 $927,331Direct Cost of Sales $391,000 $478,100 $578,850 $601,032 $627,803Other $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000Total Cost of Sales $401,000 $488,100 $588,850 $611,032 $637,803Gross Margin $174,000 $211,900 $261,150 $278,068 $289,528Gross Margin % 30.26% 30.27% 30.72% 31.28% 31.22%ExpensesPayroll $117,500 $111,000 $111,000 $111,000 $111,000Sales and Marketing and Other Expenses

$11,400 $11,100 $16,550 $15,300 $17,550

Depreciation $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Gas and Oil $2,040 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000Utilities $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000Insurance $5,040 $5,500 $5,500 $5,500 $5,500Payroll Taxes $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Total Operating Expenses $141,980 $136,600 $142,050 $140,800 $143,050Profit Before Interest and Taxes

$32,020 $75,300 $119,100 $137,268 $146,478

EBITDA $32,020 $75,300 $119,100 $137,268 $146,478Interest Expense $54,664 $47,845 $39,095 $32,095 $26,495Taxes Incurred $0 $5,491 $16,668 $21,035 $24,996Net Profit ($22,644) $21,964 $63,337 $84,139 $94,987Net Profit/Sales -3.94% 3.14% 7.45% 9.46% 10.24%8.5 Projected Cash Flow

The chart and table below contain the cash flow assumptions and projections for Farmers Group during the first five years of plan implementation. Year 1 monthlies are presented in the appendix.

Pro Forma Cash FlowYear 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Cash ReceivedCash from OperationsCash Sales $143,750 $175,000 $212,500 $222,275 $231,833Cash from Receivables $431,250 $525,000 $637,500 $666,825 $695,498Subtotal Cash from Operations $575,000 $700,000 $850,000 $889,100 $927,331Additional Cash ReceivedSales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Received

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0

New Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0 $0 $0New Other Liabilities (interest-free)

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0

New Long-term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Sales of Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Sales of Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0New Investment Received $0 $0 $97,000 $0 $0Subtotal Cash Received $575,000 $700,000 $947,000 $889,100 $927,331Expenditures Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5Expenditures from OperationsCash Spending $117,500 $111,000 $111,000 $111,000 $111,000Bill Payments $408,920 $498,803 $668,927 $694,140 $720,435Subtotal Spent on Operations $526,420 $609,803 $779,927 $805,140 $831,435Additional Cash SpentSales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Paid Out

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing

$54,000 $100,000 $100,000 $25,000 $35,000

Other Liabilities Principal Repayment

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment

$0 $25,000 $25,000 $50,000 $50,000

Purchase Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $20,000Purchase Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Dividends $0 $25,000 $20,000 $10,000 $10,000Subtotal Cash Spent $580,420 $759,803 $924,927 $890,140 $946,435Net Cash Flow ($5,420) ($59,803) $22,073 ($1,040) ($19,104)Cash Balance $239,980 $180,177 $202,250 $201,210 $182,1068.6 Projected Balance Sheet

We project solid cash balance and net worth over the years of the plan.

Pro Forma Balance SheetYear 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

AssetsCurrent AssetsCash $239,980 $180,177 $202,250 $201,210 $182,106Accounts Receivable $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Inventory $55,760 $24,586 $29,767 $31,136 $32,475Other Current Assets $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $270,000Total Current Assets $545,740 $454,763 $482,017 $482,346 $484,581Long-term AssetsLong-term Assets $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000Accumulated Depreciation $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Total Long-term Assets $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000Total Assets $1,045,740 $954,763 $982,017 $982,346 $984,581Liabilities and Capital Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5Current LiabilitiesAccounts Payable $6,984 $44,043 $55,960 $57,150 $59,399Current Borrowing $346,000 $246,000 $146,000 $121,000 $86,000Other Current Liabilities $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Subtotal Current Liabilities $352,984 $290,043 $201,960 $178,150 $145,399Long-term Liabilities $400,000 $375,000 $350,000 $300,000 $250,000Total Liabilities $752,984 $665,043 $551,960 $478,150 $395,399Paid-in Capital $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,097,000 $1,097,000 $1,097,000Retained Earnings ($684,600) ($732,244) ($730,280) ($676,943) ($602,804)Earnings ($22,644) $21,964 $63,337 $84,139 $94,987Total Capital $292,756 $289,720 $430,057 $504,196 $589,182Total Liabilities and Capital $1,045,740 $954,763 $982,017 $982,346 $984,581Net Worth $292,756 $289,720 $430,057 $504,196 $589,182

8.7 Business Ratios

The business ratios given below are contrasted to industry standards for SIC code 0161 which covers vegetable and melon growers. Within this category, research has shown that there can be significant deviations from industry standards due to farm size, product life cycle, and capital resources.

Farmers Group is a start-up venture, and therefore has a more heavy debt to equity ratio than most existing farms. Furthermore, due to its move into a niche market, the company is expected to spend more on advertising than its competitors. The first two years of operations are expected also to have a higher growth rate than average as it gains market share.

Ratio Analysis

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5Industry

ProfileSales Growth 0.00% 21.74% 21.43% 4.60% 4.30% -4.60%Percent of Total AssetsAccounts Receivable 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 12.90%Inventory 5.33% 2.58% 3.03% 3.17% 3.30% 14.40%Other Current Assets 23.91% 26.18% 25.46% 25.45% 27.42% 28.90%Total Current Assets 52.19% 47.63% 49.08% 49.10% 49.22% 56.20%Long-term Assets 47.81% 52.37% 50.92% 50.90% 50.78% 43.80%Total Assets 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%Current Liabilities 33.75% 30.38% 20.57% 18.14% 14.77% 31.10%Long-term Liabilities 38.25% 39.28% 35.64% 30.54% 25.39% 20.50%Total Liabilities 72.00% 69.66% 56.21% 48.67% 40.16% 51.60%Net Worth 28.00% 30.34% 43.79% 51.33% 59.84% 48.40%Percent of SalesSales 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%Gross Margin 30.26% 30.27% 30.72% 31.28% 31.22% 32.00%Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

37.26% 29.04% 24.76% 23.31% 22.31% 20.70%

Advertising Expenses 0.83% 0.71% 1.23% 1.20% 1.23% 0.20%Profit Before Interest and Taxes 5.57% 10.76% 14.01% 15.44% 15.80% 1.70%Main RatiosCurrent 1.55 1.57 2.39 2.71 3.33 1.65Quick 1.39 1.48 2.24 2.53 3.11 0.88

Total Debt to Total Assets 72.00% 69.66% 56.21% 48.67% 40.16% 51.60%Pre-tax Return on Net Worth -7.73% 9.48% 18.60% 20.86% 20.36% 2.20%Pre-tax Return on Assets -2.17% 2.88% 8.15% 10.71% 12.19% 4.50%Additional Ratios Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5Net Profit Margin -3.94% 3.14% 7.45% 9.46% 10.24% n.aReturn on Equity -7.73% 7.58% 14.73% 16.69% 16.12% n.aActivity RatiosAccounts Receivable Turnover 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 n.aCollection Days 60 0 0 0 0 n.aInventory Turnover 3.93 11.90 21.30 19.74 19.74 n.aAccounts Payable Turnover 55.25 12.17 12.17 12.17 12.17 n.aPayment Days 29 17 27 30 29 n.aTotal Asset Turnover 0.55 0.73 0.87 0.91 0.94 n.aDebt RatiosDebt to Net Worth 2.57 2.30 1.28 0.95 0.67 n.aCurrent Liab. to Liab. 0.47 0.44 0.37 0.37 0.37 n.aLiquidity RatiosNet Working Capital $192,756 $164,720 $280,057 $304,196 $339,182 n.aInterest Coverage 0.59 1.57 3.05 4.28 5.53 n.aAdditional RatiosAssets to Sales 1.82 1.36 1.16 1.10 1.06 n.aCurrent Debt/Total Assets 34% 30% 21% 18% 15% n.aAcid Test 1.39 1.48 2.24 2.53 3.11 n.aSales/Net Worth 1.96 2.42 1.98 1.76 1.57 n.aDividend Payout 0.00 1.14 0.32 0.12 0.11 n.a

Appendix

Sales ForecastMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9Month 10

Month 11

Month 12

SalesSales 0% $0 $0 $10,000 $25,000 $40,000 $55,000 $100,000 $175,000 $120,000 $50,000 $0 $0Other 0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Total Sales $0 $0 $10,000 $25,000 $40,000 $55,000 $100,000 $175,000 $120,000 $50,000 $0 $0

Direct Cost of Sales Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9Month 10Month

11Month 12

Sales $0 $0 $6,800 $17,000 $27,200 $37,400 $68,000 $119,000 $81,600 $34,000 $0 $0Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales

$0 $0 $6,800 $17,000 $27,200 $37,400 $68,000 $119,000 $81,600 $34,000 $0 $0

General AssumptionsMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9

Month 10

Month 11

Month 12

Plan Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Current Interest Rate

7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00%

Long-term Interest Rate

7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00%

Tax Rate 30.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00%Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pro Forma Cash FlowMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12

Cash ReceivedCash from OperationsCash Sales $0 $0 $2,500 $6,250 $10,000 $13,750 $25,000 $43,750 $30,000 $12,500 $0 $0Cash from Receivables $0 $0 $0 $250 $7,875 $19,125 $30,375 $42,375 $76,875 $129,875 $88,250 $36,250Subtotal Cash from Operations $0 $0 $2,500 $6,500 $17,875 $32,875 $55,375 $86,125 $106,875 $142,375 $88,250 $36,250Additional Cash ReceivedSales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Received 0.00% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0New Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0New Other Liabilities (interest-free) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0New Long-term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Sales of Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Sales of Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0New Investment Received $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Subtotal Cash Received $0 $0 $2,500 $6,500 $17,875 $32,875 $55,375 $86,125 $106,875 $142,375 $88,250 $36,250Expenditures Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12Expenditures from OperationsCash Spending $11,500 $11,500 $11,000 $7,500 $7,000 $9,500 $9,000 $9,500 $10,000 $10,500 $10,000 $10,500Bill Payments $30,250 $7,507 $7,509 $7,573 $7,571 $7,508 $10,129 $91,730 $178,012 $46,511 $7,394 $7,225Subtotal Spent on Operations $41,750 $19,007 $18,509 $15,073 $14,571 $17,008 $19,129 $101,230 $188,012 $57,011 $17,394 $17,725Additional Cash SpentSales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Paid Out $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing

$0 $0 $0 $0 $5,000 $15,000 $4,000 $0 $0 $0 $30,000 $0

Other Liabilities Principal Repayment

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Purchase Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Purchase Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Dividends $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Subtotal Cash Spent $41,750 $19,007 $18,509 $15,073 $19,571 $32,008 $23,129 $101,230 $188,012 $57,011 $47,394 $17,725Net Cash Flow ($41,750) ($19,007) ($16,009) ($8,573) ($1,696) $867 $32,246 ($15,105) ($81,137) $85,364 $40,856 $18,525Cash Balance $203,650 $184,643 $168,634 $160,061 $158,365 $159,232 $191,478 $176,373 $95,236 $180,599 $221,455 $239,980

Pro Forma Balance SheetMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12

Assets Starting BalancesCurrent AssetsCash $245,400 $203,650 $184,643 $168,634 $160,061 $158,365 $159,232 $191,478 $176,373 $95,236 $180,599 $221,455 $239,980Accounts Receivable $0 $0 $0 $7,500 $26,000 $48,125 $70,250 $114,875 $203,750 $216,875 $124,500 $36,250 $0Inventory $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $143,200 $126,200 $99,000 $61,600 $74,800 $130,900 $89,760 $55,760 $55,760 $55,760Other Current Assets $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000Total Current Assets $645,400 $603,650 $584,643 $569,334 $562,261 $555,490 $541,082 $631,153 $761,023 $651,871 $610,859 $563,465 $545,740Long-term AssetsLong-term Assets $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000Accumulated Depreciation $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Total Long-term Assets $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000Total Assets $1,145,400 $1,103,650 $1,084,643 $1,069,334 $1,062,261 $1,055,490 $1,041,082 $1,131,153 $1,261,023 $1,151,871 $1,110,859 $1,063,465 $1,045,740Liabilities and Capital Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12Current LiabilitiesAccounts Payable $30,000 $7,256 $7,256 $7,321 $7,321 $7,260 $7,176 $85,647 $176,417 $46,265 $7,153 $6,984 $6,984Current Borrowing $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $395,000 $380,000 $376,000 $376,000 $376,000 $376,000 $346,000 $346,000Other Current Liabilities $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Subtotal Current Liabilities $430,000 $407,256 $407,256 $407,321 $407,321 $402,260 $387,176 $461,647 $552,417 $422,265 $383,153 $352,984 $352,984Long-term Liabilities $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000 $400,000Total Liabilities $830,000 $807,256 $807,256 $807,321 $807,321 $802,260 $787,176 $861,647 $952,417 $822,265 $783,153 $752,984 $752,984Paid-in Capital $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000Retained Earnings ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600) ($684,600)Earnings $0 ($19,007) ($38,013) ($53,387) ($60,460) ($62,171) ($61,494) ($45,894) ($6,794) $14,206 $12,306 ($4,919) ($22,644)Total Capital $315,400 $296,393 $277,387 $262,013 $254,940 $253,229 $253,906 $269,506 $308,606 $329,606 $327,706 $310,481 $292,756Total Liabilities and Capital $1,145,400 $1,103,650 $1,084,643 $1,069,334 $1,062,261 $1,055,490 $1,041,082 $1,131,153 $1,261,023 $1,151,871 $1,110,859 $1,063,465 $1,045,740Net Worth $315,400 $296,393 $277,387 $262,013 $254,940 $253,229 $253,906 $269,506 $308,606 $329,606 $327,706 $310,481 $292,756

Pro Forma Profit and LossMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12

Sales $0 $0 $10,000 $25,000 $40,000 $55,000 $100,000 $175,000 $120,000 $50,000 $0 $0Direct Cost of Sales

$0 $0 $6,800 $17,000 $27,200 $37,400 $68,000 $119,000 $81,600 $34,000 $0 $0

Other $800 $800 $867 $867 $833 $833 $833 $833 $833 $833 $833 $833Total Cost of Sales

$800 $800 $7,667 $17,867 $28,033 $38,233 $68,833 $119,833 $82,433 $34,833 $833 $833

Gross Margin ($800) ($800) $2,333 $7,133 $11,967 $16,767 $31,167 $55,167 $37,567 $15,167 ($833) ($833)Gross Margin % 0.00% 0.00% 23.33% 28.53% 29.92% 30.48% 31.17% 31.52% 31.31% 30.33% 0.00% 0.00%ExpensesPayroll $11,500 $11,500 $11,000 $7,500 $7,000 $9,500 $9,000 $9,500 $10,000 $10,500 $10,000 $10,500Sales and Marketing and Other Expenses

$950 $950 $950 $950 $950 $950 $950 $950 $950 $950 $950 $950

Depreciation $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Gas and Oil $170 $170 $170 $170 $170 $170 $170 $170 $170 $170 $170 $170Utilities $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500Insurance $420 $420 $420 $420 $420 $420 $420 $420 $420 $420 $420 $420Payroll Taxes 15% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Total Operating Expenses

$13,540 $13,540 $13,040 $9,540 $9,040 $11,540 $11,040 $11,540 $12,040 $12,540 $12,040 $12,540

Profit Before Interest and Taxes

($14,340) ($14,340) ($10,707) ($2,407) $2,927 $5,227 $20,127 $43,627 $25,527 $2,627 ($12,873) ($13,373)

EBITDA ($14,340) ($14,340) ($10,707) ($2,407) $2,927 $5,227 $20,127 $43,627 $25,527 $2,627 ($12,873) ($13,373)Interest Expense $4,667 $4,667 $4,667 $4,667 $4,638 $4,550 $4,527 $4,527 $4,527 $4,527 $4,352 $4,352Taxes Incurred $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Net Profit ($19,007) ($19,007) ($15,373) ($7,073) ($1,711) $677 $15,600 $39,100 $21,000 ($1,900) ($17,225) ($17,725)Net Profit/Sales 0.00% 0.00% -153.73% -28.29% -4.28% 1.23% 15.60% 22.34% 17.50% -3.80% 0.00% 0.00%

Personnel PlanMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9Month 10Month 11 Month 12

Business Manager 0% $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500Executive Director 0% $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500Manager Trainee 0% $0 $0 $0 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000Manager Trainee 0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000Logistic engineer 0% $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500Heavy equipment 0% $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500Welder 0% $500 $500 $0 $500 $0 $500 $0 $500 $0 $500 $0 $500Contract workers 0% $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0Total People 12 12 12 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7Total Payroll $11,500 $11,500 $11,000 $7,500 $7,000 $9,500 $9,000 $9,500 $10,000 $10,500 $10,000 $10,500