Osborne to hold Ag Entrepreneur Workshop at CSC

The workshop is designed to provide fledgling entrepreneurs and others an opportunity to learn how to start and grow small business ventures in Nebraska. The program is expected to be of special interest to ag producers, land owners, students, teachers, lenders and community leaders.

During small group discussions, participants will be able to discuss one-on-one with local entrepreneurs and resource providers who offer assistance in small business development and growth. Some of the topic will include writing a business plan, how to access capital, forming cooperatives, marketing local foods and writing grant applications.

Among those making presentations will be Jana Jensen of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship; Jerry Terwilliger of the Rural Enterprise Assistance Program; Mark Hutchison, Pam Edwards and Jill Gifford of the Nebraska Food Processing Center; Kevin Miller, an industrial technology professor at Chadron State who will discuss alternative energies; Jerry Schumacher of the Nebraska Forest Service in Chadron who will speak on rural opportunities; and Jim Crandall of the Nebraska Co-Op Development Center.

Rep. Osborne will close the program with comments at 2:15 p.m.

The Students In Free Enterprise at Chadron State are helping sponsor the workshop. The registration fee will include lunch. The cost is $20 for those registering in advance and $25 at the door. Pre-registrations are requested by Jan. 6 and should be sent to the Conferencing Office at Chadron State. More information is also available by contacting Lory Cappel at 308-345-3328.