VeggieCompass: A Whole-Farm Management Tool for Profitability

Monday, September 26, 2011: 10:45 AM
Kings 3
Erin Silva , Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
Paul Mitchell , Agricultural and Applied Economica, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
John Hendrickson , Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Rebecca Claypool , Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
VeggieCompass is a spreadsheet and web-based whole farm management tool focusing on increasing the profitability of organic diversified vegetable farms.  Began in 2007 through the initiative of Jim Munsch, organic farm, and the University of Wisconsin, this tool has taken input from organic farms throughout the state to maximize its effectiveness.  By allowing a method for tracking production costs and labor, the spreadsheet allows farmers to accurately price their crops.  In addition, the tool is providing UW with valuable information as to the effectiveness of different production techniques in decreasing labor costs on farms.
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