SNOHOMISH, Wash. — 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.
Washington State University Extension will offer Cultivating Success: Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Planning to help new and current farmers gain skills in business planning, risk management and direct marketing.
The 12-week course is offered online using the Zoom platform on Tuesdays from 6:00pm-8:30pm January 10 through March 28, 2023. Students access course syllabus, calendar, and learning modules through password protected website. The course is also offered with Spanish interpretation.
Curriculum features a full line-up of speakers including business professionals, marketing specialists, and successful farm owners with a special emphasis on the financial, risk, 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.
Cost for the twelve-week course is $200 per farm/family. Scholarships are available for Military Veterans and anyone for whom the course fee is a barrier.
To register or learn more about the course, visit CultivatingSuccessWA.org/agricultural-entrepreneurship  or contact Kate Smith (360) 395-2363, kate.smith@wsu.edu.
— WSU Extension
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