Cultivating Success

Educational programs to increase the number and foster the success of sustainable small farmers and ranchers in WA. The goal of these educational opportunities is to provide beginning and existing farmers with the planning and decision-making tools, production skills, and support necessary to develop a sustainable farm or food business. Cultivating Success? connects the student with farmers and exposes them to real world situations through a community-based, experiential approach. Foundational Courses: Is a Small Farm in Your Future? This one day, workshop?style, entry level course is designed for anyone interested in exploring options for a small farm enterprise. This may include individuals new to farming as well as more experienced farmers looking to change directions or add a new component to their existing farm operation. Whole Farm Planning We?ll cover a broad overview of production and marketing options for today?s small farm! Whether you are just exploring the opportunities available or already have an existing operation, you?ll learn what it takes to create, sustain, and grow a viable small farm. Agricultural Entrepeneurship This in-depth farm and food business planning course will help you create a business plan that you can literally take to the bank to finance a new enterprise or expand an existing one. Because navigating the ins and outs of food related businesses is not easy, this course will have a special emphasis on the financial and legal issues unique to farm-based businesses and will feature a full line-up of guest speakers including bankers, business professionals, and successful farm and food biz owners.