Released: Jan. 13, 2017
From Llamas to Lodging
The possibilities of an ag-based business.
TOPEKA, Kan. –Entrepreneurs are discovering successful small business ventures in cottage industries with agricultural roots. You’ve seen them in your communities: U-pick berry farms, pumpkin patches, vineyards and wineries, meat goats, alpacas, barns with stall rentals and barns marketed as wedding venues. The only limit is your own creativity.
K-State Research & Extension – Shawnee County is hosting a one-day workshop on Tuesday, February 28, at Ravenwood Lodge, 10147 SW 61st Street, Topeka. Ravenwood is an example of an ag-based business. Ken Corbet owns the hunting lodge, and its meeting space is flexible to use in a variety of settings. Participants will hear from several local business champions including Corbet, as they share about the idea that sparked their business venture, challenges and opportunities.
Guest speakers include Sue Stringer of Travel Kansas, who will share the variety of agriculture-related businesses she finds across Kansas and their role in agri-tourism. Participants will learn about zoning requirements, environmental concerns, and available funding sources for their venture.
“Our newly-formed Shawnee County e-Community will soon have small loans available to entrepreneurs who have ideas for business start-ups or expansions,” said Gary Satter, Executive Director of Glacial Hills Resource Conservation and Development, and a member of the Leadership Team of the e-Community effort. Satter is on the agenda of the workshop in addition to Karl Klein of the Washburn Kansas Small Business Development Center, who provides free assistance to help entrepreneurs develop a business plan. The Kansas Department of Agriculture will share their marketing efforts to assist agriculture-related businesses and how businesses can participate in the well-known From the Land of Kansas trademark program.
“We’ve heard many people who have an idea but don’t know how to take the next step,” said Cindy Evans, Director with K-State Research & Extension – Shawnee County. “This workshop provides a “one-stop shop” to help connect potential entrepreneurs to the resources in our community, across the state and from K-State Research & Extension, that can help them launch their business.”
Find a registration form and a detailed agenda online at http://www.shawnee.ksu.edu. Registrations received by February 10th are just $25. For questions, contact Cindy Evans at cevans@ksu.edu or (785) 232-0062 ext. 110.
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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by:
Cindy Evans
cevans@ksu.edu
K-State Research and Extension, Shawnee County
http://www.shawnee.ksu.edu
For more information:
Cindy Evans can be reached at 785-232-0062
