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
[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
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
******************************