November 15, 2010 Presenter: Malinda Todd and Arlene Childers.
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Transcript of November 15, 2010 Presenter: Malinda Todd and Arlene Childers.
REAL Entrepreneurship is an entrepreneurship education program that helps youth and adults grow through hands-on entrepreneurship education.
REAL teaches individuals entrepreneurial and business skills that help build community and economic development.
Application Experience
Expansion Reflection
Experiential Learning CycleExperiential Learning Cycle
“Tell me, and I forget,Show me, and I remember,
Involve me, and I understand.”
Who is the target market for you business?
What marketing strategies will you use to reach your market?
Funded by N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Includes counties in the northeastern NC
that are historically tobacco dependent Regional partner is Upper Coastal Plain
Council of Government Education partners are Wilson,
Edgecombe, Nash, Halifax and Martin Community Colleges
Outreach partners include the Cooperative Extension Agencies for the region
Develop REAL Ag-Entrepreneurship Course Train REAL facilitators in the Ag-
Entrepreneurship Course Recruit current and aspiring farmers to
take part in the course Teach and support farmers in business
planning and entrepreneurship Follow-up with farmers to evaluate progess
Created an advisory team of experts in agriculture and entrepreneurship education
Worked with team to select which areas needed specialized curriculum
Worked with team to collect reliable, well-regarded resources
REAL facilitators and staff developed curriculum with advice of team
Curriculum tested in Spring of 2010
Met with Cooperative Extension Agents in the region to present the project and solicit advice
Provided reports to regional Entrepreneurial Network
Met with Community College Small Business Center Directors to set up courses through the colleges
Small Business Centers also helped promote the program and provide support to students
Worked with Cooperative Extension to hold Ag-Entrepreneurship Expos throughout the region
Marketed through Farmers Market networks
Held Expos to provide information about small business resources, marketing advice and provided a preview for 8-week course
Provided scholarships for tobacco affected farmers
9 Units including entrepreneurial assessment, feasibility, financials, marketing, operations, and the overall business plan
Some activities were adapted from the REAL Curriculum
All new activities were developed for site feasibility, marketing, financials– including enterprise budgets
Developed to be a 24-30 hour course, but activities could be incorporate into a longer course
Trained 46 REAL Facilitators across the state, 9 in Upper Coastal Plain Region
78 Individuals attended Ag-Entrepreneurship Expos
18 Individuals participated in 8-week business planning course
At least three 8-week courses are planned for the winter 2010-2011 in the region
Secured funding from Appalachian Regional Commission to expand to Western NC
Foothills Connect Business and Technology Center on the other end of the state is replicating their program connecting farmers to restaurants. They plan to use the REAL program for their participants
Rural Advancement Foundation International provides support and grants to farmers throughout the state. They will now encourage their clients to attend classes in their areas.
Local restaurateur is encouraging his suppliers to attend the class
Expos worked, but not enough
Farmers Markets Libraries Farm Bureau Farm Credit Churches Health clinics Farming Supply Stores Auctions MORE!
Connected students to Community Colleges’ Small Business Centers and other college resources
Used curriculum advisory board to create a list of recommended materials and tools– helped deal with information overload
Encouraged every class to bring in an expert speaker that is relevant to the class
When possible, connected students to local markets
Held Expos at the Cooperative Extension Offices and the Farmers’ Markets
Carried out sample activity at the Expos to introduce the class
Carried out communication by mail and phone—did not assume internet capabilities
Brought in local speakers
With help of advisory team, adapted current activities to have farm examples
Developed new activities to fit the special needs of farm businesses– especially financials and marketing
Focused on making all activities experiential and non-intimidating
Sample REAL Activity: Selling at the Farmers’ Market
Look for as many partners as possible, sometimes in unlikely placesRecruitment, Recruitment, RecruitmentConnect Students to ResourcesCreate a welcoming, non-intimidating program through careful choice of location, curriculum, activities and speakersCreate activities that are relevant and fun
Arlene ChildersAssistant DirectorNC REAL Enterprises4168 Oak Hollow Dr.Morganton, NC
28655 phone: 919-491-7572 [email protected]
Malinda ToddAssociate DirectorNC REAL Enterprises3739 National Dr.,
Suite 110Raleigh, NC 27612Phone: 919-781-6833