Regional Grain Business Viability Peer Cohort

Supporting grain businesses to grow a more resilient Midwest grainshed.

APPLY HERE

Applications due by November 30, 2026

Program begins on January 7, 2027 and runs through April 1, 2027. More details below.

What is the Regional Grain Business Viability Peer Cohort?

The Regional Grain Business Viability Peer Cohort is a free business development program for Midwest businesses working with local and regional grain.

Whether you are developing a value-added grain product, preparing to enter retail markets, expanding processing capacity, strengthening your financial management, or planning for business growth, this program provides practical support, expert guidance, and a network of peers facing similar opportunities and challenges.

Participants work with FFI Farm Enterprise Advisor, Leilani Zimmer-Durand, along with a team of food and farm business experts to build the skills, systems, and strategies needed to grow a successful business.

The program will consist of two specialized cohorts designed to serve the needs of grain businesses in the Midwest.

During the program, participants have regular virtual meetings with their cohort and 1-on-1 with their coach, on all key areas of their business:

  1. Sales
  2. Operations
  3. Accounting
  4. Finance
  5. Marketing & Branding

Cohort meetings will take place virtually every other Thursday from January 7 through April 1, 2027 from 12-1:30PM Central Time.*

*We ask participants to prioritize attendance, as each session is designed to build on previous discussions and provide value to your business. We also understand that competing priorities arise. If you’re unable to attend every cohort meeting, you can work with your coach to identify alternative ways to stay engaged and access virtual resources.

Program Overview

All participants receive free:

  • One-on-one coaching from experienced business advisors.
  • Biweekly cohort meetings with fellow grain entrepreneurs.
  • Training and support in:
    • Business models and differentiation
    • Target marketing
    • Digital sales
    • Operations and supply chain management
    • Wholesale Markets
    • Accounting and finance
    • Capital planning and fundraising
  • Access to the Food Finance Learning Center and educational resources.
  • Industry connections and introductions through FFI, the Artisan Grain Collaborative, and partner networks.

2027 Cohorts

Retail Readiness Cohort

For AGC member food and beverage businesses that are preparing to enter grocery stores and other retail markets or expand their existing retail presence. These businesses are developing or expanding consumer-facing products made with locally or regionally grown grains. Participants will develop the business foundations needed to successfully enter and grow within retail channels.

Grain Business Viability Cohort

For established AGC member businesses across the regional grain value chain seeking to improve financial performance, strengthen operations, manage growth, or plan for capital investments. This cohort is particularly relevant for farms, mills, malthouses, grain cleaners, and other businesses navigating the operational and financial challenges of regional grain markets.

Who Should Apply

This program is intended for:

  1. Artisan Grain Collaborative (AGC) members.
  2. Grain businesses seeking to improve financial performance and business viability.
  3. Entrepreneurs seeking support to grow or scale their grain business.

This program is not the best fit for:

  1. Businesses that are pre-revenue and/or still in the business ideation phase.
  2. Businesses that are not connected to the grain value chain.

Meet Leilani Zimmer-Durand

The Grain Viability Cohort Program will be led by Leilani Zimmer-Durand, FFI’s Farm Enterprise Advisor. Leilani grew up on a small, diversified organic farm outside of Spring Green, WI and has worked in agriculture for the past 20 years. Leilani has experience in a wide variety of agricultural businesses, including working with her family on their artisan cheese business, writing and managing grants for farmers and ag businesses, and as a researcher and soils and fertility consultant. Leilani has worked with small grain and specialty grain producers throughout the Midwest on fertility and production practices as well as on developing business plans and value-added projects. Read more about Leilani here.

headshot of leilani zimmer-durand

Whether you are preparing for your first retail partnership or planning the next stage of business growth, the Grain Viability Cohort Program provides practical tools, expert guidance, and a community of peers committed to building stronger grain businesses.

The Grain Viability Cohort Program is provided in partnership with the Artisan Grain Collaborative.

This program is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Email us or call 608-263-7794.