Nobody is born an entrepreneur. Not Steve Jobs, not Henry Ford, not even John Deere, and certainly not me. There’s a popular misconception that some people are born into good fortune. That they don’t have to put work into their dreams to see them blossom. But in truth, starting a successful business takes hard work, research, grit, determination, failures, rebounds, and a vision. But when it’s your own blood, sweat, and tears that have built a business from the ground up, the result is that much sweeter.
I’ve talked before about seizing a dream and acting on it to make it a reality, especially when it comes to agribusiness. The trick is to take advantage of the resources in our community and let them guide you through the challenges they’ve already encountered. The Polk County UF/IFAS Extension Office is stepping up with another opportunity to help you do just that.
On April 18 from 5:30-8 p.m., the Extension is offering an online workshop called “Farming Is a Business,” which will teach you how to successfully develop your farm business and create good marketing strategies.
The instructors — Polk County Small Farms Agent Luis Rodriguez and Hardee County Ag Agent Jonael Bosques — will be going over the following topics:
- Business plans
- Marketing plans
- Operational plans
- Budgets
A Spanish version of the workshop will be held online on May 2 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Remember that the work of the Extension is backed by UF research, expertise, and experience, making it an invaluable resource for everyone in the community, regardless of whether you want to grow better plants in your backyard or you want to start a business with those plants.
Use that valuable resource to build your own dream. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a goal through from vision to fruition.
To learn more about the workshop, go to https://bit.ly/4a1MFid.
This article is sponsored by Labor Solutions, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of Central Florida Ag News or of its advertisers.BIO: Baxter Troutman is founder and chief executive officer of Labor Solutions, a staffing company with offices in Bartow, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Arcadia, and Plant City. You also can visit his Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch online at www.DH-LR.com. A cattle rancher and citrus grower who served in the Florida House of Representatives, Troutman understands the challenges and concerns of today’s farmer.
