Dr. John C. Allen, Utah State University Marilyn Schlake, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1. Entrepreneurship- Tools & Techniques Growing Opportunities & Rural Development Dr. John C. Allen, Utah State UniversityMarilyn Schlake, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2008 National SARE Conference t Kansas City, MO t March 25-27, 2008

2. Research Questions • What role does the community play in fostering entrepreneurial behavior? • Does community structure influence the number of new jobs and businesses? • Research Findings • Communities & Businesses Working Together • Entrepreneurial Tools • Entrepreneurial Sustainable Agriculture CD • Tilling the Soil of Opportunity & More Presentation Overview

3. Involvement in the effort by local organizations • Substantial investment of local resources • Local control of the resulting enterprises Self-Development Projects

4. Entrepreneurship • Business Retention and Expansion • Industrial Recruitment • Workforce Development • Tourism Five Recognized Development Strategies

5. Entrepreneurship – an economic development strategy embraced within broader concept of community development • Community development – “….group of people in a locality initiating a social process (i.e., planned intervention) to change their economic, cultural, and/or environmental situation.” • Development in the community vs. development of the community THEORETICAL FOUNDATION- Community Development

6. Nebraska rural entrepreneurial training program • Hosted by local communities, organizations and associations • Develops community capacity and supports launching of new businesses and supports expanding existing businesses. NebraskaEDGE: A case study

7. Building community capacity through facilitating new structural arrangements • Increased entrepreneurial activity within the community and region • The definition of entrepreneurial activity is expanded to include : • Civic entrepreneurship • Social entrepreneurship Both enhance a community’s capacity to respond to change. Desired Outcome

8. What role does community play? First Research Question

9. Entrepreneurial activity can be viewed as individual and community activity • How and if a community organizes itself impacts number of jobs and businesses started and expanded • Development of community impacts entrepreneurism Relevance to government and communities

10. Korsching, Peter F. and John C. Allen. “Locality Based Entrepreneurship: A strategy for community economic vitality.” Community Development Journal Vol 39 No. 4, 2004 pp. 385-400. • Korsching, Peter F. & John C. Allen. “Local Entrepreneurship: A Development Model Based on Community Interaction Field Theory.” Journal of the Community Development Society. Vol. 35, No. 1, 2004. pp. 25-43. References

11. EDGE is a community-based entrepreneurial training program designed to encourage the expansion of small businesses and enhance the economic climate of Nebraska communities. • Trained nearly 2,400 people interested in or operating a small business. Economic impacts and partners in 39 different regional centers affecting 280 different communities since 1993. • Selected as a Best Practice for Rural Economic Development by the National Governors Association, 2003 & 2004. NebraskaEDGE

12. Build resources to successfully organize and conduct a training course. • Increase business networking and cooperation. • Create a supportive business environment. • Experience an expanded economic. Community Benefits

13. A completed business plan • Practical business management skills, and decision-making tools. • Potential start, expansion or divestiture of their business. • Local business networks & enhanced relationships. • Enhanced local economies. Participant Benefits

14. North Platte Coalition • Southeast Nebraska Coalition • Valley County Coalition • Tri-EDGE Region Successful Communities

15. Entrepreneurial Sustainable Ag DVD • Tilling the Soil of Opportunity • Building a Sustainable Business • Website Sites Tools for Business Development

16. Alternatives for Processing, Packaging, Labeling and Marketing in Retail/Internet Environments • Training Tool for Educators and Farmers/Ranchers Working Together • Audio/Video Presentations • PPT Slides • Resource Directories – Western States Entrepreneurial Sustainable Ag - Free DVD

17. The Producer Perspective – Linda Gillmore • Marketing into Local Food Systems and Sustainable Marketing – Jim Dyer • A New Venture Creation Process – Aaron Johnson • eCommerce Overview and Technology – Eric Hawley • A Primer on Processing Foods to Add Value – Barbara Rasco • Farm Bill and Funding Opportunities for New Agriculture Marketing and Enterprises – Kim Leval Presentations

18. Your Business, Why Plan? • Allows for realistic evaluation of ideas • Helps producers prepare for change • Shows opportunities and pitfalls • Brings family members and/or partners together to discuss the future • Increase income potential

19. Successful Planning • The owners assumes the lead in the process • The planning process involves everyone in the family and/or business • The plan reflects reality • There is a contingency plan for the worst case scenario • The goals and objectives are achievable and clear • The plan is flexible • The plan is reviewed often and revised whenever “reality” dictates

20. A producer-driven training program offered on the community level. A business management class organized around each participant’s business. An opportunity for producers to develop a well- reasoned and supported agricultural business plan that’s ready to take to the bank. Tilling the Soil of Opportunity

21. Take Stock of Your Business Basic Equipment Required: Planning & Research The Legal Terrain Manage from the Ground Up Plant it, Grow It, Market It Reap the Benefits – Marketing Strategies Get Your Budgets in Line Analyze These: Cash Flow and Financial Statements Cultivate Your Money Resources Harvest Your Future Course Topics

22. A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses. • Developed by Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture & Sustainable Ag Network • Self-paced materials • Minar Business Plan example • Available on-line free http://www.misa.umn.edu/vd/bizplan.html Building a Sustainable Business

23. A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses. • Task 1 – Identify Values • Task 2 – Farm History and Current Situation • Task 3 – Vision, Mission and Goals – • Task 4 – Strategic Planning and Evaluation • Task 5 – Present, Implement and Monitor Your Business Plan Building a Sustainable Business

24. Start writing your business plan with INVenture ... a business planning tool to successfully launch a new venture (formerly known as the AICC Business Planner). https://www.agecon.purdue.edu/planner/ An easy-to-use guide to help you focus your business ideas and make your consultation more valuable http://agviability.cornell.edu/pdf/ Pre-businessPlanWorkbook.pdf Fact sheets, analysis tools, videos and other educational materials to help you create and operate a successful value-added agricultural business. http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/business/ Online Resources

25. John C. Allen, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology Department of Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology 0730 Old Main Hill Utah State University Logan, Utah 84322-0730 Phone: 435-797-0310 Email: john.allen@usu.edu Marilyn Schlake Associate Director NebraskaEDGE Program Center for Applied Rural Innovation 103 Miller Hall University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68583-0711 Phone: 402.472.41318 Email: mschlake@unl.edu Contacts