Colleagues and Friends,
Below you'll find a news release about Growing
Places, a course specifically designed for people
considering starting or expanding an
agriculturally based business. The early
registration deadline (and discount) is August 29
for the in-person class that starts Sept. 23. The
registration form is attached.
Please help us spread the word!
Apologies for Cross-Postings,
Beth & Mary
===
For Immediate Release
Contact: Beth Holtzman
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]
Women’s Agricultural Network Course Helps Ag Entrepreneurs Plan for Success
BERLIN, VT – This fall, the University of Vermont
Extension Women’s Agricultural Network will offer
in-person and on-line sessions of Growing Places,
a non-credit course for people interested in
starting or expanding an agricultural business.
The in-person course will start September 23 in
Berlin. The on-line course will start the week of October 13.
No prior experience is necessary, and people
interested in all types of farm enterprises are
welcome. “Growing Places is designed to help ag
entrepreneurs get off to the right start in
business planning and development,” says WAgN Coordinator Beth Holtzman.
Whether in person or on-line, Growing Places
offers the same curriculum. Participants develop
goals for themselves and their businesses, become
more familiar with financing options, identify
and evaluate available resources, examine
marketing strategies, and learn about agencies
and organizations that provide support and assistance to farmers.
“The course covered a lot of topics at a
reasonable depth, giving us concrete information
as well as a lot of food for thought,” said a
recent Growing Places graduate. “Now I feel much
more confident about what I need to do next and
how I should operate my business.”
Since 1995, more than 280 people have completed
Growing Places. WAgN piloted the on-line version
in early 2006 and found that the course
translates well to the on-line environment.
People for whom travel time, family and work
commitments make participation in an in-person
class difficult, may find the on-line course a
good option. Individuals with slower Internet
connections, who prefer “live” interaction, or
who are less comfortable with written
communication may prefer the classroom setting.
Growing Places is open to anyone. Registration is
on a first-come, first-served basis.
The two fall 2008 course schedules are: Berlin on
six Tuesday evenings beginning Sept. 23; and
online beginning the week of October 13. Tuition
is $125, but there is a $25 discount for people
who register by the early bird deadline. The
discount registration deadlines are: Aug. 29 for
the Berlin class and September 23 for the
Middelbury Class. The regular registration
deadlines are September 12 for the Berlin class
and Sept. 27 for the online class.
Additionally, limited scholarship assistance is
available to qualified individuals. For more
information and to obtain registration materials,
visit WAgN’s website at
<http://www.uvm.edu/wagn>www.uvm.edu/wagn. Or,
contact WAgN Outreach Coordinator Beth Holtzman
at 802-223-2389 or toll-free in Vermont at 866-860-1382.
Growing Places is offered by the Women’s
Agricultural Network (WAgN) a program of
University of Vermont Extension supported by the
Outreach and Assistance for Socially
Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive
Grants Program of the Cooperative State Research,
Education and Extension Service, USDA and the USDA Risk Management Agency.
UVM Extension and USDA, cooperating, offer
education and employment to everyone without
regard to race, color, national origin, religion,
age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation and marital or familial status.
********************************
Beth Holtzman
Women's Agricultural Network
617 Comstock Rd.
Berlin, VT 05602
[log in to unmask]
802-223-2389 ext. 15
******************************
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********************************
Beth Holtzman
Women's Agricultural Network
617 Comstock Rd.
Berlin, VT 05602
[log in to unmask]
802-223-2389 ext. 15
******************************
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