Mountain BizWorks offers business planning course in Waynesville for the agricultural community

Mountain BizWorks will offer Foundations, an eight-week business planning course, starting February 6, at the Haywood County Extension Center located at 589 Raccoon Road in Waynesville.  This course will have a special emphasis on agriculture, but anyone interested in starting a business or improving their existing business are encouraged to attend.

Agricultural businesses can vary from on-the-ground farm operations to value added products and agritourism to services for the equestrian operations.  With the current trends to buy local, healthy foods and encourage small businesses, agriculture can prove the base for new business development.  All agriculturally oriented and value added ventures interested in starting or expanding their business are encouraged to attend this training.

During the course, students study how to craft a solid business plan: Developing a mission statement, estimating start-up and overhead costs, setting profit goals, cash flow, marketing, licensing, and record keeping.  The course also covers managing personal finances and the requirements of entrepreneurship, while providing direct and supportive feedback on participants' business plans. 

The class will meet for eight consecutive Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m. Pre-registration and payment are required to reserve your space.   Call Sheryl Rudd at 828-631-0292 or email sheryl@mountainbizworks.org to register.

This Project was supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2010-49400-21817.

Mountain BizWorks is a non-profit organization helping small businesses start, grow, and create jobs through lending, consulting, and training.  For more information on Mountain BizWorks, visit www.mountainbizworks.org.