Growing Profitable Farms
Farming can be a good economic opportunity as well as a great lifestyle choice. However, success requires that farming be viewed as an enterprise that must sustain itself and the farm family for the long term. Beginning farmers must look at their farm like any new business venture, while existing operations considering diversification or expansion must evaluate how changes can affect land, labor, capital, and family resources.
WSU Snohomish County Extension, in partnership with Snohomish Conservation District, will offer Cultivating Success: Agricultural Entrepreneurship to help new and current farmers gain skills in business planning and direct marketing.
The course runs Tuesday evenings January 15, 2019 through April 2, 2019, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. plus one Saturday TBD. Location is WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium, 600 128th St SE, Everett, WA.
The course features a full line-up of local guest speakers including business professionals, marketing specialists, and successful farm owners with a special emphasis on the financial and legal issues unique to farm-based businesses. During the course, participants are guided in developing a business plan they can use to help finance and grow a new enterprise or expand an existing farm-based business.
Class size is limited and always fills quickly. Pre-paid registration is required. Cost for the twelve-week course is $300. To register, visit CSAgEnt.eventbrite.com or download the form atsnohomish.wsu.edu/ag-ent and mail with your check.
Comments from recent graduates include, “The unique opportunity to meet fellow successful farmers and business mentors is one of a kind.” “Thank you for saving me from making a $100,000 mistake!” and “The opportunity to evaluate my enterprise and make informed decisions is invaluable, after all the best place to make mistakes is on paper.”
Much of the strength of the Cultivating Success program lies with the network of experts, farmers, organizations, and others that provide students with the expertise, real-world examples, and resources necessary to develop a successful farm operation.
We are fortunate to have a trio of individuals helping facilitate the courses including Bobbi Lindemulder, cattle rancher and District Operations Program Manager for the Snohomish Conservation District; Kate Ryan, grower and Agriculture Program Coordinator for WSU Snohomish County Extension, and Anthony Gromko, WSU Community Sustainability Specialist with expertise in sustainable systems, organizational leadership, micro-finance, entrepreneurship, and small business development.
For more information on the course, contact Kate Ryan, (425) 357-6024, kate.ryan@wsu.edu.
Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Evidence of non-compliance may be reported through your local Extension Office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Karie Christensen at 600 128th St SE, Everett, WA (425) 357-6039 christensen4@wsu.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.
