Graduates of the Entrepreneurship Project create a network for collaboration

Liberty Hunter, Leslie Touzeau and Dan Pugh share a laugh as they prepare for the day's task--building a mobile high tunnel on Dan and Laura Pugh's farm.

A simple conversation on bus between farm tours has sparked an Entrepreneurship Project network.

Liberty Hunter of the Salad Garden and Daniel Soetaert from the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture brainstormed on their way to a winery in California. Both were members of the second cohort. Hunter said she wanted to foster collaboration among the farmers. They brought others into the conversation and now take turns hosting monthly potlucks with farmers from all three Entrepreneurship Project cohorts, and other area farmers. In addition to sharing good food and camaraderie, members of the group have come together to help plan events, plant garlic, construct a high tunnel and process a pig.

Liz Graznak (cohort 2) of Happy Hollow Farm said each time the group gathers she’s reminded of a story her neighbor, a 71-year-old farmer, shared with her when she started farming. “He and his neighbors used to make molasses from sugarcane and they would do it together–moving from farm-to-farm till the work was done,” Graznak said. “When we get together we’re doing something that was commonplace long ago–neighbors helping one another.

It’s an opportunity for them to come together, tour farms, share ideas and network. “We wanted to get together and see a farm and have fun—nothing too formal,” Hunter said.

See their collaboration in action in this slideshow.

Presentations, presentations

Check out the video from Randy’s presentation in Kansas City to help you get ready for your presentations in December. (2 parts.)

Aspiring entrepreneurs hone their plans in Kansas City

Joe Mantoan and Dave Todd discuss the Urbavore's potential for growth with Entrepreneurship Project co-directors Peter Hofherr and Randy Westgren.

Aspiring farmers and ranchers gathered for the third module of the Entrepreneurship Project in Kansas City. Each module builds on the previous lessons, working toward the goal of crafting a feasible venture plan, whether it’s for a folk school teaching traditional knowledge, a grass-fed dairy farm or a biomass-to-energy project.

“How do you tell your story in 20 minutes that gains their trust and gets them to believe in your system—whether that’s clients, potential partners or investors?” Co-director of the program Randall Westgren asked the group Tuesday evening.

The cohort recently penned a news story envisioning why they won the entrepreneur of the year award in 2016. “You’ve got the story,” Westgren said. “This session is about identifying what must I do between now and then—what are the obstacles?”

By early December, participants will present a venture plan to the group using a series of story-telling images that convey the meaning of their project and how they’ll transform it from an idea to an entrepreneurial success.

In each module, the group tours area entrepreneurship projects. Wednesday they started at Urbavore, an urban farm in Kansas City.

Click here for a slideshow of the tour.

2011 Module is underway

They came all over Missouri–from Humansville, Fayette and Villa Ridge. Some, like Ana Boatman and her daughter Natalie from Independence, are growing vegetables and raising chickens on just 1.5 acres of land, while others, such as Cathy Johnmeyer of Fayette, are raising cattle on 225 acres. Whether their operations are small, medium or somewhere in between, all of the participants came to The Entrepreneurship Project to learn how to “make it” farming.

Every module begins with a tour of area farms. The tours are an excellent opportunity for participants to experience successful operations in practice.

Megan Woodland and Molly Rockamann ask John Knoll about plant varieties he grows under a shade canopy at Seven Cedars Farm, near Jonesburg, Mo. Woodland, who lives in Columbia, Mo., said she has a passion for medicinal plants and is currently working to strengthen seed lines. Rockamann is the founding director of EarthDance Farms near St. Louis.

John Knoll discusses the history of his farm with the group. One of the first take home messages from the farm tour was the importance of “telling your story.” Most small producers engage in some form of direct sales to their consumers, who chose their products because they want to know where their food comes from.

Rusty Lee, of Lee farms near Truxton, Mo., shares his insights on Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) with the newest class of the Entrepreneurship Project.

The group had a lot to take in from Rusty Lee, who grows produce, raises livestock and prawns and sells his farm's products through CSA shares, wholesale distributor Ole Tyme Produce, Whole Foods, and directly on the farm.

Congratulations Graduates!

The Entrepreneurship Project is proud of our most recent class of graduates of the program. Armed with venture plans, training in entrepreneurship, and a new network of producers, processors, distributors and retailers, they are ready to succeed in their farm and food businesses.

 Congratulations graduates!

More on Jeremiah Gettle of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Interviews from Sonoma County

Check out what participants in The Entrepreneurship Project thought about their recent trip to California.

We are now accepting applications for The Entrepreneurship Project!

We are now accepting applications to the Summer/Fall 2011 entrepreneurship training program for new and beginning Missouri farmers. The Entrepreneurship Project is designed to help beginning farmers develop an entrepreneurial approach to their farming operation. The intensive program includes 4 sessions with site visits to innovative farm businesses in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia and the State of Vermont. It also includes classroom sessions on identifying business opportunities, developing your business plan, marketing and financing creative farm ventures.

Participants need to be beginning farmers (farming for less than 10 years) or interested in getting started farming. Young people who grew up on farms and are looking for ways to return to farming are welcome to apply—working on their family’s farm when growing up does not exclude them from the program. Couples and farm partners are also welcome to apply, but each person who wishes to participate must complete the application materials. The application process is simple, and includes responding to the questions below.

Applications are due May 31. For more information, contact Jill Lucht at luchtj@missouri.edu or 573-884-3185.

Application Information:

1.  Name, address, phone (cell if available), email address:

2.  Are you available for all of the dates required*?

July 26-30, 2011 St Louis

August 28-Sept 2, 2011 Vermont

October 4-8, 2011 Kansas City

Nov 29-Dec 2, 2011 Columbia

When we meet in Missouri, our program convenes on Tuesday evening and runs through Saturday morning. The Vermont dates are inclusive of travel time.

3. Why are you interested in participating in The Entrepreneurship Project?  (Please  describe your interest in approximately 100 words.)

 4. What are you hoping to learn in The Entrepreneurship Project (approximately 100 words)?

 5. Are you currently involved in farming? If YES, tell us about it.

6. Are you currently employed in a non-farm career? If yes, tell us about your current field.

7. Are there any particular small farm entrepreneurship opportunities (type of production, marketing, etc.) that you are interested in?

*The Entrepreneurship Project is pleased to underwrite the majority of costs associated with the four instructional modules, including hotel rooms, airfare to the Vermont-based module, and the majority of meals during the modules. If a participant is unable to attend a module, the Entrepreneurship Project may still be billed for plane tickets, lodging, and other expenses. Therefore, we ask all persons accepted into the program to keep a credit card authorization form on file in the fiscal office of Department of Agricultural Economics at The University of Missouri. Your credit card information will be stored in a locked, secure location until you complete The Entrepreneurship Project. After your graduation from the program, your form will be shredded. Your credit card will only be charged if you fail to participate in the four modules.

This project is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # MO-SSCG1163.

Meet Missouri’s most successful heirloom seed entrepreneur

Jeremiath Gettle

Business: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Jeremiath Gettle founded Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds back in 1997 at the young age of 17.  Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is made up of more than 1,400 non-genetically modified flower, vegetable and herb seeds.  He offers the largest selection of heirloom seeds in the entire country.  The company’s catalog goes out to more than 250,00 gardeners each year.

Gettle opened his first store in Mansfield, Missouri in 1997 and more recently opened a store in Petaluma, California.  He is currently restoring the Wethersfield, Connecticut landmark, Comstock, Ferre & Company, the oldest continuously operating seed bank in New England.  Gettle and his wife Emilee also run a magazine called the Heirloom Gardener.

His venture started hosting festivals in 2000 so he could bring together; gardeners, farmers, vendors and food enthusiasts.  Gettle takes pride in offering free seeds to third world countries and school gardens.  To learn more about Gettle or to order seeds visit www.rareseeds.com