VANCOUVER, Wash. – Starting or expanding a small farm or agricultural business marks the focus of a WSU Extension course, titled “Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Planning,” to begin Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Hazel Dell, Wash.
The 10-week class will be presented 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 24-March 28. The series is designed to help entrepreneurs develop a workable business plan to guide an agricultural enterprise to success and sustainability.
“A business plan is like a roadmap that can guide farmers to be successful and sustainable,” said Doug Stienbarger, WSU Clark County Extension director.
The course will teach beginning and existing farmers and value-added producers new skills in business planning and important aspects of operating a sustainable business. Special emphasis is placed on direct marketing, record keeping, and financial and legal issues unique to agricultural businesses. Instructors include farm marketing specialists, accountants, attorneys, agricultural professionals and local farmers sharing their farming and marketing experience.
“This class provides a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to build a business plan that can help them become effective agricultural business owners”, says Amber Lefstead, Small Acreage Program coordinator
Registration is $100 per farm or family, and class size is limited to the first 30 participants (partial scholarships are available on a limited basis). This class series fills up quickly, so contact Amber Lefstead at amber.lefstead@wsu.edu or visit the WSU Clark County Extension events calendar (ext100.wsu.edu/clark/calendar/) for registration details. Deadline for registration is January 22.
Persons requiring special accommodations should call WSU Extension Clark County at (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 two weeks prior to the event.
Contact:
- Amber Lefstead, WSU Clark County Extension, 360-397-6060 ext. 5729, amber.lefstead@wsu.edu
