Guest Post
by:
Katy McLean Gould, ME
Director, Small Business Center
Haywood Community College
SBC.Haywood.edu
828-627-4512

The Haywood Community College Small Business Center is Your Partner for Business Success.

Customized to meet the unique needs of new and existing businesses in Haywood County, the HCC Small Business Center offers:

• FREE confidential, One-on-One Confidential Counseling
• Educational Seminars & Workshops
• Resource Referrals

Visit the HCC Small Business Center site for a complete list of upcoming training opportunities and/or to register for counseling assistance.

Rural Food Business Assistance Project

The SBC is a proud partner of the Rural Food Business Assistance Project. The project supports current and aspiring entrepreneurs that are farmers, value-added processors, and food service businesses in order to stimulate successful and thriving agribusinesses across rural North Carolina.

What Does the Rural Food Business Assistance Project Offer?

• Training scholarships for farm or food business development classes and other relevant trainings to increase your knowledge base and teach you tools for successfully developing and operating your business.
• Assessment of your entrepreneurial skills and readiness so you know your strengths and areas for improvement.
• Connections to a regional food business support network made up of stakeholders who support you and your business in the months and years to come.
• Business coaching with a coach to help you navigate how to start or grow your business, with advice and support at each step. Your coach will also link you to the best available local, regional and state level resources.
• Access to capital so you can start or grow your farm, food, or agribusiness. Your coach will help you through the loan application process with the Rural Center’s MLP, a USDA IRP lender, or other capital providers in your area.

I am interested in Participating. Now What do I do?

Contact the Haywood Community College Small Business Center to join the expanding pipeline of Agribusinesses in North Carolina.

Guest Post
by:
Mannie Dalton Crone
Assistant Director
Haywood County Public Library
(828) 356-2531

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced gardener, the free gardening classes led by Master Gardeners as part of the annual Giving Garden program have something to offer everyone. This season, learn how to create a Monarch garden, plan a low-labor garden, prevent pests naturally and more. All of these events are held at the Canton Library, and families are encouraged to attend with children – all of the gardening classes will include a separate children’s program for kids ages 3 years and older! Here’s a list of upcoming gardening classes, and stay tuned for more to be announced later in the season:

• Thursday, March 9, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.Master Gardener Volunteer Marcia Tate will present “Creating a Monarch Garden.”
• Thursday, March 16, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.Master Gardener Volunteer Hughes Roberts will present “Planning a Small-Space, Low-Labor Garden.” Participants will view this model in process at the Canton Library’s Giving Garden.
• Thursday, April 6, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.“Natural Pest Control” with Sarah Scott, Haywood Extension Agent.
• Thursday, April 20, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.“Hands-On Seed Starting” with Sara Martin from Two Trees Farm in Canton. Come prepared to get your hands dirty and get your seeds off to a healthy start. Participants will leave with seed starts.

Located behind the Canton Library, the award-winning Giving Garden features raised-bed vegetable, herb, and flower boxes, as well as a certified Monarch Waystation. The garden is used to teach various aspects of gardening, as well as to raise awareness of the plight of the Monarch butterfly, which is at risk of being endangered. The Giving Garden is an education-oriented joint initiative of the Haywood County Public Library, Haywood County Cooperative Extension Center, and the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. The garden is generously supported by the Haywood County Friends of the Library and the Haywood County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association, and is maintained by the work of volunteers. Seeds for the garden are graciously donated by Sow True Seed. All produce is donated to The Community Kitchen in Canton.

For more information on the upcoming gardening classes, call the Canton Library at (828) 648-2924 or visit http://haywoodlibrary.libguides.com/givinggarden. Or contact the library if you’re interested in volunteering in the garden this season with planting, watering or harvesting. New volunteers are always welcome!