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Agri-preneur Scholarships Available to Attend Training Events | |
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From the Aug 18, 2008 Issue of Agri-News | |
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Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the Agricultural Policy Framework, under the program, make it possible for up to 15 agri-preneurs to be partially sponsored to a maximum of $1000 when attending educational out-of-province, national and international conferences, tours, workshops or self directed study events.
Over the four years the program has been running, 38 agri-preneur scholarships have been awarded helping Alberta agri-preneurs attend a wide variety of learning events in Canada, the United States and Europe. Recipients returned home with new ideas and enthusiasm for their business and their industry.
Darlene Hegel and her husband, Gil, operate Valta Bison near Valhalla Centre and sell their bison products at the Calgary Farmers' Market and at the newly opened Sweetgrass Market in west Calgary. Darlene Hegel received a scholarship to attend the North America Farmers' Direct Marketing Association conference in Boston. "This conference allowed us to step back from our day-to-day activities, examine our operation and plan for the future," she says. "The conference reinforced that we are on the right track."
Eligible learning events offer new business and marketing ideas as well as the chance to network with other farm direct marketers, ag tourism operators, farmers' market managers and association staff. Consider industry association conferences and tours outside of Alberta, or culinary or ag tourism events to help build critical industry networks and increase knowledge and skills. Agri-preneurs may also want to consider designing and planning a self-directed learning experience outside of Alberta.
This year, the program supports leadership skill development and mentorship training of industry association administrators and board members. The idea behind this focus is that strong, well connected staff and visionary board leaders make robust and resilient industry associations. A secondary focus of this year's program is on self-directed tours and new entrants to the industry. A maximum of two scholarships may be provided to new entrants to attend appropriate provincial events such as the joint Alberta Farmers' Market Association and the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association's Step It Up conference.
"Scholarship recipients are committed to life long learning and act as ambassadors to the farm direct marketing and ag tourism industries upon their return by sharing their ideas and experiences with others in the industry," says Karen Goad, industry development officer with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Grande Prairie. "Recipients are asked to share what they learn after the educational event in the form of report, presentation or interview. There is a real benefit to their business as well. A scholarship equals free promotion for a year. The agri-preneur scholarship program partners tell the world about the participants and their businesses. It's a great way to make contacts and share business stories."
Application information and program deadlines are available from Marian Williams by calling 780-679-5168 (toll-free in Alberta by dialling 310-0000 first).
The financial support of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development under the Agricultural Policy Framework, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative is gratefully acknowledged.
Contact: Karen Goad 780-538-5629
The contents of this page are no longer available.
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Karen Goad.
This document is maintained by Ada Serafinchon.
This information published to the web on August 13, 2008.
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