ACRE and Clemson Cooperative Extension Launch Agribusinesses Curriculum Program
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner
Media Contacts: Sally McKay; 803-734-2196; smckay@scda.sc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 5, 2018
ACRE and Clemson Cooperative Extension Launch Agribusinesses Curriculum Program
Columbia – The Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension, announces a new curriculum program for budding agribusiness innovators seeking business and marketing know-how and the chance to win $5,000.
Program applications are due September 28 and can be found at http://acre-sc.com. Qualifying applicants must be South Caroling residents and each have an agribusiness idea or product prototype. Individuals selected for the curriculum program must attend class sessions on October 23, November 6, November 20 and December 11. During the December session, participants will pitch their business plans to an agribusiness panel for the opportunity to win $5,000.
“This program will give an overview of the business planning process and how to best manage an agricultural business,” said Dr. Nathan Smith, Clemson Extension Economist and Agribusiness Program Team leader. “The classes will cover pre-planning, marketing, pricing, cost of production, profitability, financial statements and management.”
All classes will be taught by Clemson’s Agribusiness Program Team and will take place at the Clemson Sandhill Research and Education Center, 900 Clemson Road, Columbia, 29229.
The Agribusiness curriculum program is the second track offered by the ACRE Entrepreneurship Center. The first track was launched in March for agribusiness entrepreneurs ready to take their product or business to the marketplace. Five South Carolina entrepreneurs were selected for that program.
“The South Carolina Department of Agriculture is committed to growing the economic impact of the state’s largest industry – agribusiness – to $50 billion by 2020,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “ACRE is an important initiative as we help entrepreneurs hone their skills and make their mark on South Carolina’s agribusiness landscape.”
For more information on the ACRE Curriculum Program, contact Kyle Player, ACRE Assistant Director, 803-734-2324 or kplayer@scda.sc.gov or Nathan Smith, Clemson Agribusiness Program Team Leader, 803-788-5700 or nathan5@clemson.edu.
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ACRE and Clemson Cooperative Extension Launch Agribusinesses Curriculum Program Press Release