Agricultural Consulting Services at Pennsylvania SBDC
The Pennsylvania SBDC Agricultural Consulting Services offers no-cost, confidential business assistance to PA farmers, food processors, farmers’ markets, restaurants, retail and wholesale food entities, food trucks, agritourism, and ag-related support services. SBDC consultants with expertise in agribusiness can provide guidance on:
- Market and competitive research
- Business planning for growth and diversification
- Business and generational transition planning
- Assistance in financial projections and assumptions
- Demographic reports
- Grant research and review
- Industry professional networking and referrals
- Market and competitive research
- Business planning for growth and diversification
- Business and generational transition planning
- Assistance in financial projections and assumptions
- Demographic reports
- Grant research and review
- Industry professional networking and referrals
HOW AG CONSULTING DIFFERS FROM GENERAL BUSINESS CONSULTING
Agriculture and related businesses differ from conventional businesses due to dependence on weather, seasonality, market pricing, accounting practices, product knowledge, consumer demands, and cultural and family practices. Our ag business specialists work with statewide partners to assist clients in all aspects of starting, managing, and growing an agriculture-based business.
Check out this episode of Keystone Edition Business, Farms: More than Just Food, moderated by Steven Stumbris, Center Director of Bucknell University SBDC, as he and his guest panelists discuss agritourism and what it means to be a modern farmer.
Agricultural Consulting Services at Penn State Ag Progress Days 2025
What started as a simple corn maze in 2021 has grown into a beloved agritourism destination in north-central PA! Jennifer and Chris McCracken of Pine Creek Seed Farm shared their journey at Ag Progress Days. Jennifer was one of six panelists at a session hosted by Pennsylvania SBDC Agricultural Consulting Services, helping farmers explore agritourism as a new revenue stream and community connection.
Client Success Stories and Testimonials
KiposTech
Entering a new field is always a challenge, but one that KiposTech was ready to face. With the help of Pennsylvania SBDC staff members, Hema and Raj have been able to begin the transition of their air purification and sanitization technology from the medical field to animal agriculture. As KiposTech looks to commercially launch their product within the livestock sector, the Pennsylvania SBDC has been able to assist in business proposition development, agricultural market research, industry professional connections and referrals, and grant review, all of which have led to KiposTech’s progression to commercialization.
Mountain View Mushrooms & SporeLoad
“That’s where the SBDC has been game-changer for me. Their objective perspective on my business has helped me refine my approach to customer acquisition and marketing…” —Hunter Vargo, Owner of Mountain View Mushrooms & SporeLoad
Jonathan Rabinovich
“Martin was instrumental in helping me think through the business side of things, like market research and how to present our idea. Working with the SBDC made the whole process much more approachable.” —Jonathan Rabinovich, Winner of the 2025 Ag Springboard Competition
PA Mushroom Co.
Mr.Wilcox saw the mushroom industry growing in popularity due to their nutritional and medicinal benefits and in true entrepreneur fashion he founded PA Mushroom Company in January 2021. Soon after he learned of the AgChoice Credit’s JumpStart grant opportunity. He worked with the PennWest Clarion SBDC to develop his business plan that was used to apply for this grant. In June 2021, PA Mushroom was awarded its first grant of $10,000 that was used to scale its operations, conduct more research, and market the business.