REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship Curriculum is Taking Root
NC REAL has trained 46 REAL Facilitators in the new REAL Ag-Entrepreneurship Curriculum throughout the state. The REAL Ag-Entrepreneurship Curriculum was developed through a grant from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund. The first training was held at A-B Tech Community College on May 11 and the second training was held at Wilson Community College on August 10, 2010. REAL facilitators participated in new farming specific activities, learned about the specific challenges and opportunities to teaching farmers, and shared ideas about creating successful Ag-Entrepreneurship Programs. At the A-B Tech training Paul Knott from the BioNetwork BioBusiness Center shared with the group how his organization is assisting farmers in starting or expanding their businesses, particularly through value-added agriculture and medicinal herbs. In Wilson, REAL facilitators heard from Tim Will from Foothills Connect on how they are connecting Rutherford County farmers to chefs in Charlotte. Georgette Chilton the Small Business Center Director at Martin Community College shared their program, Living Your Dream, which connects aspiring entrepreneurs to mentoring opportunities.
REAL-Ag Entrepreneurship classes are now forming throughout the state. There are some student scholarship opportunities in the northeastern part of the state. Please contact REAL staff to learn more about the program.