Transcript Seeds for Success Workshop Powerpoint

Seeds for Success
Workshops
Katie L. Sternweis,
Dunn County Agriculture
Agent, Specializing in
Economic Development
Women in Agriculture
Educator’s Conference
March 28, 2012
Wisconsin Local Food Network
• The Wisconsin Local Food Network (WLFN) engages,
connects, and empowers local, regional, and state
organizations and individuals to build sustainable,
equitable, and resilient food systems.
• We envision vibrant local and regional food systems
in Wisconsin that nourish the health and well-being
of Wisconsin communities, conserve and enhance
the natural resource base, and provide economic
livelihood for a wide diversity of sustainable
Wisconsin farmers and food businesses.
Assessing the Need
• September 2010 – WLFN distributes survey to
statewide network
• Three Priority Areas Identified
1. Market Development
2. Infrastructure Development
3. Producer Development
Initial Steps
• January 2011 – Annual WLFN Summit
• Group Discussion on Producer Development
• Obstacles Identified
– Need for business development knowledge
– Accessing and finding capital
– Cost and clarity of regulations (license,
certification, etc.)
Initial Steps
• Committee Formed
– Brainstormed Potential Projects & Workshop Ideas
– Applied for $2250 mini-grant available through WI
Local Food Network
– Designed Seeds for Success workshops
Seeds for Success workshops
• One Day Crash Course - “Planning and
Financing Your Local Food Business”
• Two Main Subjects – Identified Obstacles from
WLFN Summit
– Developing and Writing Your Business Plan
– Financing Options for Your Business
Seeds for Success workshops
• November 2011
• Three Locations throughout Wisconsin
– Western, Eastern and Central/Southern
• Business Plans - One Main Speaker at all locations
• Financing Options – Panel of Speakers
Seeds for Success workshops
• “Business Plans – You Can Write One”
– Carl Rainey, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
Trade and Consumer Protection Economic
Development Specialist
– 4 hour presentation, Q&A
Seeds for Success workshops
• Financing Options – Panel of Speakers
– USDA Rural Development
– Grant Funding Opportunities
– WI Women’s Initiative Corporation
– Farm Service Agency
– Bank, Credit Union and Farm Credit Services
Participants
• 53 total at 3 locations
• Mixed audience
– Producers who own a business
– Producers looking to start a business
– Represent organization which supports individuals
aiming to start business
Seminar Evaluation
Seminar Expectations
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Fell Short
Met
Exceeded
Seminar Evaluation
Prior Knowledge of Business Plans
A Lot, 2, 5%
None, 7, 17%
Some , 12, 29%
Very Little, 12,
29%
A Little, 8, 20%
Seminar Evaluation
Knowledge of Business Plans After
Very Little, 1, 2%
A Little, 4, 10%
A Lot, 14, 35%
Some , 21, 53%
Seminar Evaluation
Prior Knowledge of Financial Options
A Lot, 0, 0%
Some , 10, 24%
A Little, 7, 17%
None, 10, 25%
Very Little, 14,
34%
Seminar Evaluation
Knowledge of Financial Options After
Very Little, 1, 3%
A Lot, 9, 23%
A Little, 5, 13%
Some , 24, 61%
Seminar Evaluation
How will you use information gained?
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Pass along to other Expand my business
farmers
Figure out next
steps
Write or revise a
business plan
Follow Up Evaluation
• January 2012 - Zoomerang Online Survey
• Key Indicators:
– Information Presented was Valuable
– Some Put It To Use
– Others Will Use in Future
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU!