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Agritourism Directory Available:
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has published the "2008 Indiana Farmers' Market, U-Pick and Agritourism Directory" with the hope that this directory is a valuable resource for visitors and Hoosiers throughout Indiana. This directory allows one to locate and learn about farmer's markets and other agri-tourism activities in Indiana. While visiting the Indiana farmer's markets, one can "[e]xperience life on a family farm, taste wine from locally-grown grapes, marvel at acres of fresh Indiana corn, enjoy the bounty of Indiana's fresh fruits and vegetables and see the innovations of today's modern agriculture."
If you are interested in receiving a copy of this directory (or would like more information), pleae contact the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) at 317-232-8770. The ISDA is located at 101 West Ohio Street, Suite 1200, Indianapolis, IN 46204. This directory is also available at http://www.in.gov/isda/2575.htm .
2008 Rural Entrepreneur Excellence Award:
The Rural Entrepreneur Network (REN) is pleased to announce the 2008 awardees of the Rural Entrepreneur Excellence Award. The awardees are the Richardson Family (from Johnson County ) and Marsha MacPhee-Webster (from Morgan County ). These awardees were selected because of their demonstration of entrepreneurial spirit, intelligent risk-taking skills, and business success. Congratulations to the Richardsons and Marsha! (READ MORE)
REN Consulting Sessions
In May, REN offered one-on-one consulting sessions in Bedford , Indiana . These sessions are for individuals who desire to start up a business or who have an existing business. The sessions last for one hour and fifteen minutes. At these sessions, Jim Roudebush provides recommendations for your new or existing business, and you will have an opportunity to ask him several questions. The cost for these sessions is $25.
Please feel free to call our office (317-290-3250) if you would like more information regarding these consulting sessions.
Small Business Marketing Tools Workshop “BIG BANG for Small Bucks!”
REN is currently offering a Small Business Marketing Tools Workshop for small business owners who need help in marketing and customer development. This workshop is also excellent for not-for-profit organizations who typically have huge marketing needs with only a small promotion budget.
This workshop is only $10 for early bird registrations. For more information about other Small Business Marketing Tools Workshop locations, contact the office at 317-290-3250.
“Start Your Own Business” Workshop
The Rural Entrepreneur Network is also offering an exciting new workshop for rural entrepreneurs. The audience is rural individuals or families who are interested in starting a business or are in the early stages of a business.
The content of the workshop includes: How Rural Entrepreneur Network (REN) Helps Rural Business Start Ups; Characteristics of Successful Rural Entrepreneurs; Self Assessment Exercise; Available Rural Businesses; Steps in Successful Revenue and Profit Planning; Support Services for Rural Start Ups; Steps to Get Started; and more.
For more information about the “Start Your Own Business” Workshop and the workshop locations, contact the office at 317-290-3250.
Join the Future Rural Entrepreneur Development (FRED) Group! A great opportunity for Rural Entrepreneurs!
In early 2006, REN (formerly known as FAN) started a monthly session with rural landowners who were interested in starting or improving a rural business. This group is called the F uture R ural E ntrepreneur Development (FRED) Group. The FRED Group is a rural entrepreneur nurturing, networking, and development group.
The FRED Group is free-of-charge and meets periodically at a convenient location right off of I-465 and West 71 st Street on the northwest side of Indianapolis . Additionally, FRED members receive a monthly mailing with information regarding small businesses, starting a business, and upcoming REN events.
To join the FRED Group or get more information, contact the REN office today by calling 317-290-3250, email us at hhrcd@hhrcd.org , or fill out and send in the attached FRED Registration Form (available in PDF format).
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REN is a not-for-profit organization established in 2005 by the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. REN, formerly known as the Farmers Alliance Network (or FAN), is a project that has been made possible by the generous funding and technical assistance from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Rural Development Council, Inc., the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service , and Hoosier Energy.
REN is a rural economic development program that helps individuals and families in Central Indiana with starting a business or enhancing an existing small business. REN provides education, nurturing, and networking opportunities to entrepreneurs.
READ MORE!
For more information about the Rural Entrepreneur Network , click on the link provided (brochure available in PDF format).
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Research indicates that over 75% of adults like the idea of owning and operating their own business, but the thought of starting a business can be overwhelming. This is where REN can help.
REN identifies possible rural businesses for consideration. Further, REN can help determine if a person has entrepreneurial characteristics by demonstrating what it takes to start and run a business. Additionally, REN provides education and training in planning for a business, what to expect when starting a business, how to operate a new rural business, and offers resources to help start a business.
With many jobs in Indiana going out of state or offshore, operating a rural business allows entrepreneurs to continue to enjoy a rural lifestyle, while strengthening roots in the rural community. If the family chooses to control the rural business, it can be handed down to the next generation to further sustain the rural lifestyle.
REN also nurtures and supports rural alliances and groups of people in their communities, providing opportunities for economic development in areas that are often overlooked.
REN started out small, serving ten Central Indiana counties associated with the Hoosier Heartland Resource & Conservation Development Council, Inc. area. In 2007, we expanded to a broader area that now includes 28 or more counties, many of which tend to be more rural.
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