Rutgers Cooperative Extension, with funding from the Equine Science Center and Northeast SARE, is to offer a pilot program oriented specifically for horse-business owners. The newly established Equine Business Planning course aims to help horse-business owners create original business plans tailored to the success of one’s operation from planning to implementation.
This course will take place over seven weeks, with one three-hour class per week on Tuesday evenings beginning Feb. 5 and running until March 19. It will take place in two locations: Somerset County Extension Office and the Gloucester County Extension Office, and classes will run from 6 to 9 p.m., including a light dinner. Simultaneous workshops at two locations will provide greater ability to reach a broad range of students across the state, and stimulate a wide array of perspectives using a combination of live speakers and videoconferencing technology. Enrollment is offered to all who own or manage horse-related businesses, whether they are product- or service-oriented.
Throughout the Equine Business Planning course process, students will produce tangible evidence of their accomplishments and acquired knowledge. By the end of the seven-week course, students will have created an executive summary and business description, completed a business and industry profile, charted a production and operations plan, prepared a marketing, management, personnel and financial plan; plus produced an enterprise budgeting plan. The opportunity to network with fellow equestrians will not only benefit one’s equine business, but it also will be of benefit to the entire equine community. Through sharing success stories and encouraging others, the primary goal is to inspire more New Jersey horse business owners to establish original business plans.
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