Whatcom County offers Agriculture Entrepreneurship & Business Planning Course

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         
December 20, 2010 – Bellingham, WA

NOW ENROLLING! Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Planning

Bellingham, WA – Washington State University, Whatcom County Extension and the Sustainable Connections Food and Farming Program are partnering to offer an Agricultural Entrepreneurship class for sustainable small farmers in Whatcom County.

The class is ideal for new farmers trying to understand how a farm business can be profitable as well as experienced farmers wanting to start a new enterprise or expand their current profitability.

In this 6 class series, participants will learn how to write a business plan, develop an innovative marketing concept and strategy, and evaluate production costs and economic returns to their business for different crops livestock they choose to produce.

Guest speakers include local business and financial experts, legal experts, and small business counselors, as well as successful local farmers. These contacts help new and established farmers accurately assess what it takes to launch a new agricultural business and maintain its financial health, as well as establish a support network.

Students will complete the course having developed a business plan they can use to finance their new enterprise or use as a roadmap for their farm business.

When:  Every other Tuesday evening, 6-9pm, starting February 1, plus 2 Saturday workshops.
Where: WSU Whatcom County Extension, 1000 N. Forest Street, Bellingham
Cost: $200 per farm family, includes 2 books (scholarships available)
To register, go to http://whatcom.wsu.edu/CultivatingSuccess/ and register online.
For more information: Colleen Burrows • cburrows@wsu.edu • (360) 676.6736

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