UT Workshops to Help Farmers Develop Value-Added Businesses
Learn About Business Planning and Applying for USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant Program
SPRING HILL, Tenn. – Giving careful consideration to business planning is the first step for any farm business wanting to develop a value-added enterprise says Hal Pepper, financial analysis specialist with University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture. Farmers who identify trends and market opportunities and develop a well-thought-out business plan may enhance their likelihood of success.
Pepper along with David Hughes, a professor in the UT Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Pete Nelson with AgLaunch, specialists with USDA and others will present a workshop designed to help farmers identify business planning considerations, grant opportunities and cost-share programs available to value-added producers. The workshop "Developing Value-Added Agriculture Businesses" will discuss USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program and how to apply.
Participants will learn how to develop an idea for the VAPG program and how to prepare a grant proposal. Farmers who have previously received a VAPG will share their experiences and prospective VAPG applicants will have an opportunity to discuss their ideas with presenters. The workshop is designed for farmers who want to develop a value-added agriculture business and submit a VAPG proposal.
"Developing Value-Added Agriculture Businesses" will be held in the following locations across the state:
Maynardville- November 20
Murfreesboro - November 21
Martin - November 22
Pre-registration is required and each workshop will begin at 9 a.m. local time. Check-in and networking will start at 8:30 a.m. The workshop will end by 4 p.m.
The registration fee is $20 per person and lunch is provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by November 10. Information about the workshop is available on the Center for Profitable Agriculture's website: ag.tennessee.edu/cpa. Register for the workshop now at tiny.utk.edu/VAPG.
The Center for Profitable Agriculture is a joint effort of University of Tennessee Extension and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.
Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu.