UC Ag and Natural Resources and F3 are offering free skills training courses to help California growers navigate the hurdles of planning, marketing, social media, capital access and buyer engagement.
Small- to mid-size growers, ranchers, fishers, food producers and food business owners are invited to join the Business Launchpad, a free, cohort-based business development program designed to help them build stronger, more resilient businesses.
Growing and preparing exceptional food is only part of what it takes to build a successful food business. Today’s producers are expected to be marketers, financial managers, regulatory experts and sales professionals – all while continuing to farm, ranch, fish or manufacture food products. While they excel at their craft, many people would benefit from developing the business skills needed to grow and sustain their operations.
“We are recruiting up to 40 participants across the state to be part of a nine-week virtual cohort designed to improve the financial stability and operational resilience of small- to mid-sized agricultural enterprises in California,” said Tracy Celio, regional director of F3 Local Farm and Food Innovation and UC ANR’s Southwest Regional Food Business Center.
Business Launchpad participants will receive practical instruction from experts on key business topics, including recordkeeping, business planning, access to capital, marketing, branding and food safety. In addition to weekly online sessions, participants will receive individualized technical assistance and have opportunities to connect with peers and buyers in person.
The fall 2026 cohort will run from October through December 2026. Participants will attend one online session each week, with each session lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Weekly educational sessions and coaching are delivered virtually, while regional networking and resource fair events will be held in person in Northern California, Central California and Southern California.
The course will cover:
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- Business planning
- Financial literacy
- Regulatory compliance
- Marketing and branding
Participation will be hybrid with:
- Virtual courses
- 1:1 coaching
- Regional networking events for professional growth
Applications will be accepted until Sept. 1, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by Sept. 10, 2026.
Learn more and complete the application for Business Launchpad: Growing Resilient Roots For Food, Farm and Ranch Businesses at https://bit.ly/Foodbizlaunch.