Budget Like a CFO: A Smarter Way to Plan for Your Ag Program

If you’ve ever gotten halfway through the school year and realized you’re running low on funds, or worse, scrambling to put together a fundraiser you didn’t really have time for...you’re not alone. Most agriculture teachers and FFA advisors don’t struggle with budgeting because they’re irresponsible.

They struggle because they’re juggling classes, competitions, CDE practices, SAE visits, advisory boards, facilities, community events, and the 100 tiny things no one else sees.

Budgeting often becomes a reactive process instead of a strategic one.

But here’s the truth: Your program runs smoother (and your workload feels lighter) when your finances are planned intentionally. That’s where thinking like a CFO comes in.

What Does It Mean to “Budget Like a CFO”?

A CFO, or Chief Financial Officer, doesn’t just track money. They predict needs, plan for seasons, and align resources with long-term goals.

When Ag teachers take this approach, everything changes. Instead of asking:

“How are we going to pay for that?”

You start asking:

“Which quarter makes the most sense to raise money for that?”

Instead of:

“Should we try this fundraiser?”

You move to:

“Is this fundraiser worth the work based on time, payoff, and season?”

Instead of:

“I hope we have enough.”

You build confidence because you’ve mapped out:

• What you need

• When you need it

• Where the money will come from

And the best part? You stop saying yes to every fundraising opportunity just because it’s offered—whether that’s selling hot dogs at Tractor Supply or squeezing in a Boo-Gram fundraiser during National Convention.

3 Steps to Start Thinking Like a CFO Today

Here’s a simple way to begin shifting from reactive fundraising to strategic financial planning:

1. Look at Your Year in Quarters, Not Months

Break your year into four parts:

• Fall (Aug–Oct)

• Winter (Nov–Jan)

• Spring (Feb–Apr)

• Summer (May–Jul)

  
  

Then identify which expenses actually fall into each quarter—CDE/LDE travel, banquet costs, classroom supplies, conventions, field trips, etc. This helps you see your year at a glance.

2. Match Each Expense to the Smartest Funding Source

Not every program need should be covered by fundraising.

Some things are better covered through:

• School or Perkins funds

• Grants (like Living to Serve)

• Business sponsorships

• Classroom projects that naturally generate revenue (greenhouses, floral subscriptions, shop projects)

  
  

Save your highest-effort fundraisers for high-impact needs—not for things that could easily be funded another way.

3. Choose Fundraisers That Are “Worth the Work”

A fundraiser shouldn’t drain you, confuse kids, and barely make $50.

Ask yourself:

• Does it fit this season of the year?

• Is the return worth the time?

• Does it engage students meaningfully?

• Does it support my program goals—not distract from them?

  
  

When you choose fewer, higher-value fundraisers, you protect your time, your energy, and your program’s sustainability.

Want the Full Budget Like a CFO Workbook?

If this post has your wheels turning, you’ll love this month’s full professional development workbook.

Inside The Community Garden—my PD membership for Ag teachers and FFA advisors—they get:

• The complete Budget Like a CFO workbook

• A “Worth the Work” quiz to evaluate fundraisers

• Fundraiser snapshot sheets for your treasurer

• A quarterly funding calendar template

• Lists of low/medium/high-effort fundraiser ideas

• Non-fundraising funding opportunities

• A pick-a-date donation calendar

Doors reopen for new members on January 1. If you’ve been wanting PD created for Ag teachers by an Ag teacher, this is your chance.

Join the waitlist or learn more here.