FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2004

Contact: Penny Brown Huber, (515) 289-0238

DRAKE OFFERS ÔGROW YOUR SMALL MARKET FARM' PROGRAM

The business-planning program ÒGrow Your Small Market FarmÓ begins Saturday, Jan. 31, at Drake University in Des Moines , Iowa . It is designed for new or existing farm businesses and people who are interested in growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, prairie or native grass seed or specialty livestock or poultry.

The program is designed to help entrepreneurs with business tasks, including writing a business plan and learning about specialty food marketing. Participants also will learn to use the Quick Books Pro small business accounting program, and get assistance from accounting students on their financials. One-on-one help also will be offered as participants create their business plans.

Program Administator Penny Brown Huber says the keys to the success of the program are Òlots of Ôhands on' support and the opportunity to learn from fellow students who have similar interests and ideas.Ó

Past class participants Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris of Atlantic say the class was very helpful. ÒThis program provided us with a set of skills that enabled us to look at our farm as a business as well as a way of life.Ó

Past participants Maury and Mary Wills of Adel agree. ÒWe are so happy to have participated in this program. It helped us think through the important business elements, which enabled us to set our priorities so that we can manage and build a successful farm business.Ó

The program has three phases. First, the curriculum is taught from Jan. 31 through April 24, (from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays). Second, during the summer, one-on-one visits are made to each farm business. Third, in November participants will return to share their experiences over the past year and their upcoming plans.

The cost of the program is $395 per farm business. For more information or registration, contact Penny Brown Huber at (515) 289-0238 or BrownPennyL@aol.com or visit www.sbdc.drake.edu/aspx/Programs/default.aspx .

ÒGrow Your Small Market FarmÓ is sponsored by the Drake University Agricultural Law Center and John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center . It's also made possible by the Iowa Agricultural Development Authority, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and USDA Rural Development.