Snohomish Extension class series helps grow profitable farms

Farming is more than a lifestyle or a job—it’s a business venture that demands skills and knowledge for success.

To help new and current farmers gain skills in business planning and direct marketing, Washington State University’s Snohomish County Extension offers a new Cultivating Success: Agricultural Entrepreneurship class series, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 15, in Everett.

Held in partnership with Snohomish Conservation District, the course features a full line-up of local guest speakers including business professionals, marketing specialists, and successful farm owners, with a special emphasis on the financial and legal issues unique to farm-based businesses.

During the course, participants are guided in developing a business plan they can use to help finance and grow a new enterprise or expand an existing farm-based business.

The course runs 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings through April 2, along with one Saturday. Classes are held at Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium, 600 128th St SE, Everett, Wash.

Class size is limited, and pre-paid registration is required. Cost for the twelve-week course is $300. To register, visit CSAgEnt.eventbrite.com or download the form at snohomish.wsu.edu/ag-ent and mail with your check.

WSU’s Cultivating Success program brings together a network of experts, farmers, organizations, and partners who provide students with the expertise, real-world examples, and resources necessary to develop a successful farm operation.

Course facilitators include Bobbi Lindemulder, cattle rancher and District Operations Program Manager for the Snohomish Conservation District; Kate Ryan, grower and Agriculture Program Coordinator for WSU Snohomish County Extension, and Anthony Gromko, WSU Community Sustainability Specialist with expertise in sustainable systems, organizational leadership, micro-finance, entrepreneurship, and small business development.

For more information on the course, contact Program Coordinator Kate Ryan at (425) 357-6024 or by email at kate.ryan@wsu.edu.