MONROE - A new program has been developed to assist farmers and other food businesses interested in starting or expanding value-added production or specialty marketing.
Modeled after a program started in Illinois called "Annie's Project," the program has spread to over 20 states.
While the original Annie's Project focused on traditional farm commodity enterprises, this new program will focus on the risk management educational needs for beginning and developing food businesses considering a direct marketing or value-added enterprise for their operations.
This four-week workshop will help participants:
• Evaluate goals, skills and resources to determine farm business feasibility.
• Learn how to gather market research.
• Prepare to write a business plan.
• Gather information on tax issues and business structures for the farm business.
• Learn about core financial statements and how to use them to make sustainable decisions.
• Learn about state and federal regulations and industry practices for direct marketing farm products and safe food handling.
• Become familiar with valuable resource agencies, organizations, and personnel as they continue writing and implementing their business plans.
The program will be on four consecutive Tuesdays in May. The dates are May 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2010, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The classes will meet at the Green County-UW Extension Multi-Purpose Room, 2841 6th St., Monroe.
Organizers encourage participants to attend all four workshops to get the most out of the program, but participants are not required to attend all four to register for the program.
One of the goals of the program is to provide networking opportunities for value-added businesses in similar situations or developing similar enterprises.
A social networking format will be established for the group by the organizers to continue the networking component after the workshop series is completed.
The cost for this pilot project has been subsidized through grants and sponsorships, so organizers are able to offer the program for $30 per participant for the entire four week course.
This fee covers materials, speakers and lunch for the four sessions. For more information, or to register for the class, contact Anne Pfeiffer, 890-1905, or anne.pfeiffer@ces.uwex.edu
For more information regarding this project contact Cara Carper, Green County UW-Extension, at 608-328-9440.
Modeled after a program started in Illinois called "Annie's Project," the program has spread to over 20 states.
While the original Annie's Project focused on traditional farm commodity enterprises, this new program will focus on the risk management educational needs for beginning and developing food businesses considering a direct marketing or value-added enterprise for their operations.
This four-week workshop will help participants:
• Evaluate goals, skills and resources to determine farm business feasibility.
• Learn how to gather market research.
• Prepare to write a business plan.
• Gather information on tax issues and business structures for the farm business.
• Learn about core financial statements and how to use them to make sustainable decisions.
• Learn about state and federal regulations and industry practices for direct marketing farm products and safe food handling.
• Become familiar with valuable resource agencies, organizations, and personnel as they continue writing and implementing their business plans.
The program will be on four consecutive Tuesdays in May. The dates are May 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2010, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The classes will meet at the Green County-UW Extension Multi-Purpose Room, 2841 6th St., Monroe.
Organizers encourage participants to attend all four workshops to get the most out of the program, but participants are not required to attend all four to register for the program.
One of the goals of the program is to provide networking opportunities for value-added businesses in similar situations or developing similar enterprises.
A social networking format will be established for the group by the organizers to continue the networking component after the workshop series is completed.
The cost for this pilot project has been subsidized through grants and sponsorships, so organizers are able to offer the program for $30 per participant for the entire four week course.
This fee covers materials, speakers and lunch for the four sessions. For more information, or to register for the class, contact Anne Pfeiffer, 890-1905, or anne.pfeiffer@ces.uwex.edu
For more information regarding this project contact Cara Carper, Green County UW-Extension, at 608-328-9440.
