Released July 18, 2008
DURHAM, N.H. – An interdisciplinary team of UNH Cooperative Extension staff collaborating with outside experts will offer the third Natural Resource Business Institute (NRBI) this fall.
The 13-week course provides individuals and families who want to start or expand a natural resource-based business with the essential information and preparation they need to be successful.
"Sustainably profitable farms and forestry enterprises, so-called 'working landscapes', are essential for preserving New Hampshire's natural resources for future generations," says Extension agricultural business management specialist Mike Sciabarrasi.
Course covers all aspects of starting a natural resource business
NRBI participants will:
- develop an operating plan for a farming or forestry business or business expansion as they learn about biological systems, product and service marketing, enterprise profitability and legal matters particular to natural resource businesses.
- learn to take inventory of a site's natural resources
- explore the human dynamics of running a family business (e.g., defining roles and responsibilities, handling conflict, managing time, and hiring outside labor).
- understand how government agencies and financial institutions work with farm and forestry ventures
- receive valuable feedback from a peer support network of other natural-resources entrepreneurs leave well-connected to a wide variety of advisors and technical experts
"Participants will end up with an operating plan and a realistic expectation of success—or potentially save themselves money, time and anguish by discovering fatal flaws in their original ideas," says Sciabarassi.
Target audiences
- individuals and families starting or planning a natural-resource business
- current land-based business owners considering changes or expansions to their operations
- families looking for ways to pass viable operations on to the next generation
- high school and college students exploring career options
Course details
Classes meet Wednesdays, September 10 through December 10, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Barton Hall, at the UNH Thompson School in Durham.
Cost is $175.00/person. The registration deadline is August 30, 2008
For more information or to register
Download a brochure at http://extension.unh.edu/news/NRBI.pdf or sign up online at https://www.events.unh.edu/register.shtml?event_id=4780.
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http://extension.unh.edu/news/2008/07/3rd_natural_resource_business.html
Contact: Michael Sciabarrasi, msciabarrasi@ceunh.unh.edu
