Clemson offers course to help farmers and food producers

Published: February 6, 2012

CLEMSON — Clemson University's Institute for Economic and Community Development and its partners are offering a program helping existing food and farm entrepreneurs grow their businesses and new entrepreneurs in getting started.

The nie-week course begins Feb. 27 and will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pendleton Library on South Mechanic Street. Early registration and agreeing to create a business plan can reduce the course cost to $145, a substantial savings from the full $395 cost.

The program is designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and/or grow successful businesses. Experienced entrepreneurs facilitate the programs, and guest speakers, specializing in session topics, supplement their knowledge. Additional guest speakers will cover issues related to sustainable agricultural production.  

 The course is consists of 10 sessions that will help build a business:

• Take Stock of Your Resources
• Basic Equipment Required: Planning and Research
• The Legal Terrain
• Manage from the Ground Up
• Plant it, Grow it, MARKET IT!
• Reap the Benefits-Marketing Strategies
• Get Your Budgets in Line
• Analyze THESE: Cash Flow and Financial Statements
• Cultivate Your Money Resources
• Harvest Your Future

Working with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and BizBuilderSC, Clemson is offering NxLevel for Agricultural Entrepreneurs. It will offer established entrepreneurs the tools and resources to create and implement a plan for growth. NxLevel for Agricultural Entrepreneurs will target entrepreneurs interested in cultivating a stronger local food system, embracing urban/rural farmers, food artisans, chefs, value added business owners, those involved in food media, agritourism, processors and local market owners. 

Michael Dipner, owner of Chappells Nursery & Garden Center in Newberry, has taken the course and endorses it.

"As an independent garden center owner, I was looking to truly take my business to the next level," he said. "Seeking to become part of the trend towards small home gardens, the Tilling The Soil of Opportunity course allowed me to find areas of niche unfilled needs in the edible local food movement. This course provides the information and contacts to make it happen."

Interested entrepreneurs may sign up for the program at BizBuilderSC.com or contact Devin Swindall at Dswinde@Clemson.edu or 803-315-4867 with questions.

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