About The Farmer's Office
Meet Julia Shanks
Founder
Helping Farmers Build More Profitable, Sustainable Businesses
Julia Shanks combines the practicality of an accountant with the creativity of a chef—and years of experience helping farmers understand their numbers and build financially sustainable businesses.
Since 2008, Julia has worked with farmers and food businesses to make sense of their finances, build better systems, and make more confident business decisions.
Julia's Story
From Aviation to the Culinary World—and Then to Farm Business
Julia’s career has taken an unconventional path.
She began as an aviation analyst at the FAA before spending more than a decade as a professional chef. She later earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship, taught accounting, and began helping small businesses build financial and growth strategies.
Her experience as a chef and entrepreneur gave her a practical understanding of the realities of running a hands-on business—from managing costs and employees to finding customers and making difficult financial decisions.
Since 2008, she’s brought that experience to farmers and agricultural businesses across the country and beyond.
About The Farmer's Office
Farmers Know How to Farm. They Shouldn't Have to Figure Out the Business Side Alone.
The Farmer’s Office was created to help farmers build the financial and business skills they need to run sustainable, profitable businesses.
Through practical courses, coaching, books, and tools, Julia helps farmers.
Understand Their Numbers
Make sense of accounting and financial information.
Build Better Systems
Create practical systems for tracking cash flow, costs, and business performance.
Plan for Profit & Growth
Turn financial information into better decisions and a sustainable plan for the future.
The Approach
Less Guesswork. Better Decisions.
Every farm is different. That’s why The Farmer’s Office focuses on practical education that can be applied directly to your business—not complicated theory or one-size-fits-all formulas.
The goal is simple: help you build a farm business that supports your financial goals, your values, and your life.
Books
Practical Guides for Building a More Profitable Farm Business.
Whether you’re launching a new farm business or looking to strengthen an established operation, Julia’s books provide practical guidance, proven frameworks, and real-world strategies to help you make confident business decisions.
The Profitable Farmer
Create a clear long-term vision for your farm while aligning production, sales, finances, and your team to build a profitable and sustainable business.
Strategic Planning
Profitability
Sustainable Growth
Long-Term Vision
The Farmer’s Office (Second Edition)
A fully revised edition featuring expanded templates, improved financial systems, and practical strategies to help farmers confidently manage cash flow, improve profitability, and grow sustainable businesses.
Financial Planning
Cash Flow Management
Business Systems
Marketing & Growth
The Farmers Market Cookbook
Discover practical produce guides, cooking techniques, and over 200 seasonal recipes that make the most of fresh, locally grown ingredients.
Seasonal Produce
Storage & Preparation
Farm-to-Table Cooking
200+ Recipes
Build a Stronger Financial Future for Your Farm.
Whether you’re just getting started or growing an established operation, practical financial education can help you make smarter business decisions with confidence.