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New farmers are helping fill the increasing demand for locally grown produce. (Photo by Kate Halstead, WSU Extension)
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EVERETT, Wash. – ‘Buying local’ seems to be on many people’s lists of resolutions. And the popularity of keeping dollars in local circulation is gaining momentum.
For farmers, capturing a larger share of this trend is crucial to growth and longevity. However, creating, expanding and retaining new markets requires a more business-centric view of farming.
New farmers must look at their farm like any new business venture, while existing operations must evaluate how changes can affect land, labor, capital and resources.
WSU Snohomish County Extension will again offer “Cultivating Success: Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Farm Business Planning” to help new and current farmers gain skills in business planning and direct marketing. The course runs 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 15-April 9, at WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, Wash. The class also will include two out-of-class seminars and a Saturday farm field trip.
The course features a full lineup of local guest speakers including bankers, business professionals 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 literally take to the bank to finance a new enterprise or expand an existing farm-based business.
Course facilitator Holly Thompson, is a Stanwood Angus beef rancher and WSU graduate in animal science and agriculture economics. Well-versed in farm economics and current market trends, Thompson also facilitates Cultivating Success: Sustainable Small Acreage Farming & Ranching, the introduction to farming course in the series. She has worked for Northwest Farm Credit Services as a loan officer.
Class size is limited and prepaid registration is required. Cost for the 12-week course is $275. To register online, click the following link to brownpapertickets.org, or download the form at snohomish.wsu.edu and mail it with your check. For help with registration contact Karie Christensen at 425-357-6039, email christensen4@.wsu.edu.
For more information on the course, contact Andrew Corbin, 425-357-6012, corbina@wsu.edu. For more information, go to the Cultivating Success program website.
This course is funded in part with support from the Snohomish Conservation District as well as USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.