It’s a business management school built specifically for livestock operations of all types – including pasture-based and regenerative operations.

If you’re already deeply committed to stewarding your land and managing your livestock thoughtfully, this training helps bridge your ecological values into the business side of your farm. Ecology, grazing, finance, and people skills are taught as an interconnected system because long-term land stewardship only works when the business is thriving.

You already understand the importance of how sustainable systems are important for the environment, and at RFP School you’ll learn how to apply that mindset to your business, as well. This training is about aligning your values, your land, and your bottom line.

The curriculum builds progressively over the six days with time each day to apply the concepts learned to your own operation, including individual coaching after class hours.

Topics include

• Economic principles that drive profit in any business

• The Ranching for Profit Economic Model

• Enterprise analysis and margin-based decision-making

• Key financial benchmarks and ratios to evaluate business health

• Profit and loss statement application

• The connection between ecological health and financial performance

• Vision-setting, accountability tools, and team alignment

• A practical plan to apply these principles to your own operation

Not only will you learn key concepts towards profitability, but you’ll return home with a clear picture of how to implement these strategies to your own unique operation and the tools (and confidence!) to do it.

The cost & time commitment of the training is an investment – and should be considered just like any other business decision.

But, let’s consider the bigger picture. It’s a significant investment compared to what? Continuing underperforming enterprises with no clear path towards profitability? Continuously expanding without improving margin? Delaying or rejecting opportunities because you don’t understand your farm’s finances?

For most livestock producers, even small improvements in margin, efficiency, and pricing clarity can provide results that recoup the cost of tuition. The curriculum focuses on giving you the tools to make decisions that will strengthen your business with confidence and clarity. For participants that put their plan into action, the value shows up not just once, but year after year through more profitable business decisions.

This is a 6-day in-person, immersive training. Full participation is strongly encouraged, as each day builds on the previous one.

We understand stepping away from your operation requires planning, but you can think about the time away as a strategic retreat – an opportunity to work on the business, rather than only in it.

The training will be held at Riverhouse Lodge in Bend, OR. We have set aside rooms for RFP participants, just let them know you’re reserving a room with the RFP School group.

Participants commonly report:

• Understanding your true costs of production
• Identifying which parts of your business are profitable (and which parts aren’t!)
• The ability to know how to make smart financial decisions
• Improved risk management
• Alignment between ecological values and financial outcomes
• Increased confidence in decision-making
• Access to the RFP Online Alumni resources for continued support after the training

Mike Guebert, OPN Program Director, attended the training and believes that anyone making financial business decisions will walk away from this training with having learned something new that will improve their financial standing.

Ranching for Profit School is best suited for producers who:

• Are willing to learn and apply new concepts
• Can realistically evaluate how their business operates
• Want to make changes to strengthen profitability and long-term resilience
• Value in-depth, structured learning and peer discussion
• Can commit to participating fully during the training and utilize the in-person coaching

It might not be a good fit for you if you are looking for a short production workshop or are hesitant to make changes in your current operation.

Visit the Ranching for Profit School website for additional information.

For specific questions, you can contact the RFP team directly or reach out to Oregon Pasture Network.