Session 2: Business Model Canvas

Have you always dreamed of starting your own farm or food business? Maybe you're a new farmer in the first few years of operations? Do you still need to write or clean up your business plan?

Join Rural Action for this free five-part webinar series that will provide you with everything you need to create a sustainable farm business plan!

This second webinar in the series will introduce participants to the Business Model Canvas. This unique tool helps new or even established businesses think comprehensively about their goals and strategies. The Business Model Canvas is the first step toward creating a holistic business plan. Faith Knutsen and John Glazer of Ohio University's Voinovich School will lead this session and work with participants to use the Business Model Canvas for their own farms.

Faith Knutsen is the Director of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Voinovich School. In this role, Knutsen directs the Social Enterprise Ecosystem (SEE) project, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission. SEE has a dual mission: bringing venture development services to regional social enterprises, which combine a market-based approach with a mission for social good, and capacity-building for philanthropic funders interested in impact investment. Knutsen lectures on entrepreneurship and venture development and aids in regional K-12 and college pitch competitions. She holds a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and a master's degree from Ohio University.

John Glazer is the Senior Executive in Residence for Strategic Development at the Voinovich School. In this role, Glazer collaborates with senior program leaders and research faculty at the Voinovich School, across Ohio University, and with external community partners supporting program initiatives in economic development, social enterprise, impact investment, regional development, and a variety of academic research, applied programs, and community engagements. Glazer holds a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Michigan. He also received his Master's degree in Philosophy from the University of Michigan, where he taught courses in the Honors College, Philosophy, English, and Anthropology departments.