1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

The purpose of the Bee Keeping farm is to provide a five year operating plan on the existing 100 hive beekeeping business focusing on maintaining honey production, diversifying into other honey products such as pollen and bee stock, reducing debt and building equity in the farm and building off-farm investments.

1.2 MARKETING PLAN   

The business highlights the 100 hive beekeeping operation production of honey, establishing markets for selling the honey, providing good line equipment in good operation condition, providing good facilities for handling honey and bees, family operating business and payments of debt such as loans or payment of equipment’s. The business will diversify into pollen, comb honey, candles and bee stock sales, increase selling of honey to the locals, and improve packaging and promotion of its activities.

1.3 MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION PLAN

The organization will be headed by the board of directors who will mainly serve as the advisory committee but all the affairs of the organization will be under the executive director who is the business proprietor assisted by the operations and marketing managers who form the key business managers.

1.4 OPERATION AND PRODUCTION PLAN

The capacity in this case will refer to the number of personnel required to work at the farm. The farm structure proposed will be used to determine just how many personnel will be required. 10 employees will be required for the farm to be assumed to be working at optimal levels for the first 3 years or at capacity. This will include the manager and employees of the farm

1.5 FINANCIAL PLAN

We estimate that approximately 60% of Bee Keeping farm annual revenue will be generated by a combination of potential customers, admissions, programming, retail sales, and related activities. The remainder of our funding will be generated by: The writing of proposals to secure grants from foundations. The solicitation of individuals, corporations, and small businesses. An annual large-scale benefit concert, family benefits, and special events. A variety of small scale fundraising activities.