Starting on Tuesday, a 10-week long business training course for agricultural entrepreneurs will be held at the University. Called “Tilling the Soil of Opportunity,” the course is aimed at small businesses in the agricultural industry.
The course is useful for those who want skills in developing a successful business, improving productivity and effectively running a business, according to Pat Fligor, director of the Small Business Development Center at the University.
“This course is about helping agricultural entrepreneurs make their business better,” Fligor said. “Sometimes people that are in farming want to expand into a different business or something that complements what they are already doing. We are here to help that transition.”
“Tilling the Soil of Opportunity” will be taught elsewhere, too. Five locations in Ohio will have this course simultaneously and, according to organizers, each location will be connected. The beginning of each class will use interactive distance learning and then at the end of the class there will be individual discussions and hands-on learning.
The course is being sponsored by the Ohio Small Business Development Center network, USDA Rural Development, the US department of Agriculture and Ohio State University Extension.
“These types of programs offer an opportunity for our local agricultural people to learn about new methods being used in other areas and how to become more profitable in their business,” said Jennifer S. Ruhe, executive director of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. “I think our local farmers are very good business people and, like all business people, continuous training and resource sharing is vital to stay competitive in the business. I think as businesses, the agricultural entrepreneurs need to keep learning new and innovative methods just like any other business in the area.”
Ruhe noted that agriculture is a vital component not only to the local economy, but to the state as well. Some local businesses provide their product throughout Ohio.
“Tilling the Soil of Opportunity” is not the only course available for the local businessmen, according to Fligor.
“We have two classes of workshops of ‘Exploring Small Business,’ each year,” Fligor said. “One in fall, one in spring and two classes of the ‘Next Level Business’ management.”
Apart from offering these courses, the Small Business Development Center helps local businessmen find financing, and assists them with financial analysis, business planning, management and personnel issues. Roughly 250 cases were processed by the Center last year, according to Fligor.
“It’s a community outreach program,” Fligor said, regarding the Center. “Not all of our programs are with the University, some of them are with (other) Small Business Development Centers or Chamber of Commerce or Community Improvement Corporation.
It makes for a good mix here at the state of Ohio, that we can reach so many people.”
The Small Business Development Center is a service hosted by Continuing Education at the University. It is partially funded by the US Small Business Administration and the Ohio Department of Development.
