Grow Your Own Small Market™ Farm Business

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Grow Your Small Market Farm™ Business was developed at the Drake Center and is beginning its 4th year as a statewide program in February 2004. To date, 72 people have attended Grow Your Small Market Farm™ Business class. These attendees now have an informal network with each other as well as others who interact with them to access information and share experiences.

What is Grow Your Small Market Farm™ ?

This is a one of a kind program in the United States with a solid three-year track record. The program is for people who raise vegetables, herbs, flowers, grapes, specialty livestock/poultry or farm prairie seed and native grasses on 50 acres or less in Iowa. The curriculum is specifically targeted to assist new and local small producers in testing their innovative ideas and creating farm business plans. It consists of workshops and mentoring with a focus on growing these enterprises and marketing product first in Iowa and then nationally.

Penny Brown Huber, Program Administrator, Grow Your Small Market Farm Business Planning Program

Grow Your Small Market Farm™ Business Planning program has partnered with Iowa State University, to work with those who have attended our program to identify ways in which we can continue to support your efforts as small business owners. One of these ways is this new quarterly newsletter.

The focus of this newsletter will be oriented around business skill development and business techniques, information, ideas and opportunities. It will be a way for you to communicate about your business, to stay connected with other like business owners and to hear about new opportunities.