3rd Natural Resource Business Institute Accepting Applications

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

Contact Michael Sciabarrasi at 862-3234, download a brochure, or sign up online.

Posted July 18, 2008 | TrackBack