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Validation backlog — assumptions to prove before major spend

Purpose

Gate lumpy CAPEX (fence, water, herd, equipment, telemetry at scale) on evidence, not hope. Operational checklist layer on East Tennessee two-site farm business plan — validation backlog—same IDs where possible**.

Phase 0–1 stance (pilot vs production): Execution gates — Phase 0–1 (East Tennessee two-site) — use before treating G1–G8 checkboxes as production-honest.

Key decisions supported

Spend type Do not proceed until…
Fence (full perimeter MVP) G1 rows green
Water development Hydrology / rights rows green
Herd scale-up Market + margin rows green
Telemetry beyond pilot Instrumentation priority + manual proof
Equipment purchase vs custom hire comparison documented

Major spend definition (editable)

Threshold Value
Major single check $___
Cumulative rolling 12-mo farm CAPEX $___ without gate review
Gate ID Assumption to prove Proof required Evidence location Pass?
G1 Legal use of land for intended enterprise Deed / lease / zoning letter Y/N
G1b Physical access year-round Road photos + maintenance plan
G2 Carrying capacity band Extension method or consult report
G3 Water volume + rights Well report / stream rights attorney note
G4 Market — cattle or lease comps Sale bills / signed comps
G5 Processing or haul path Calls + distances
G6 Labor hours budget realistic 4-week time log
G7 Insurance adequacy Binder + umbrella
G8 Telemetry manual baseline 30-day log without remote control

Before first financed infrastructure (checklist)

Branching

| If G2 fails (low carrying capacity ) | Reduce owned herd or increase lease share before fence scale | | If G4 fails | Do not expand production—improve marketing or exit enterprise |

Known / assumed / open

Class Content
Known Business plan requires validation before irreversible bets
Assumed Someone owns each gate with due date
Open Grant / EQIP timelines if used