Welcome to Skagit County

Bilingual Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Planning Course Now Enrolling

Now Enrolling! The Cultivating Success Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Planning Course begins Thursday, January 13 and will be held every Thursday evening, from 6 - 9 pm, through Mar. 31, as well as two Saturdays. It will be offered in English with simultaneous Spanish translation.

This course is excellent for individuals and couples who seek to launch a farm business and experienced farmers who wish to expand, diversify, increase profitability or otherwise transform an existing farm enterprise. The course features a full line-up of local guest speakers including bankers, business professionals, and successful farm owners. In addition, there will be two Saturday classes: a field trips to see how other thriving farms are turning business plans into profitable reality and an all day farm finance workshop. The course costs $250 per farm family/partnership.

Individuals who successfully complete this course and produce a viable business plan will be eligible to lease land and infrastructure at below-market rates at the Viva Farms. Viva Farms provides beginning and minority farmers affordable access to land, greenhouse space, facilities, technical assistance with production and business development, collaborative marketing, and other services to help guarantee successful start-up. Low-interest loans and farm financing may also be available to course graduates and Incubator participants. (www.VivaFarms.org)

To register, or for more information about courses or Viva Farms, please email sschaffer@wsu.edu or call Sarita Schaffer at 206-914-7948. Space is limited!