Entrepreneurial Training for Farm Women and Farm Management Teams

Durinl997, the Canadian Farm Business Management Council, (CFBMC) in cooperation with Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. (W.E.) supported the development and piloting of a self-study entrepreneurial training program. The objective of this project was to develop a self-study resource kit of materials for farm business managers (specifically farm women and their management partners), which would focus on training for entrepreneurial thinking and management skills. The participants would have access to the support services of a training coach throughout the program. The materials were developed to provide farm managers with an opportunity to explore entrepreneurial initiatives before they were required to make an investment of significant time or resources. The program, encompassing six instructional modules, covers the topics of: • self-assessment, • opportunity identification, • marketing, • finance and budgeting, • feasibility and profitability, • future strategies / business planning This presentation will outline the methods used to prepare and pilot the training program. The outcome of the pilot project will be presented highlighting the project's benefits and outcomes for those who participated in the program.