Community college offers new course in agribusiness

Flathead Valley Community College offers a new four-session course to help farmers and ranchers find new and innovative ways to generate farm income.

Called “Multifunctional Farming: Creating New Markets for Your Business,” the class provides guidance on how to turn regional developments into new for-profit opportunities on farms and ranches.

Participants will learn about a variety of concepts, then translate them into concrete plans for their businesses.

 “A farm can be a great place for people to visit and enjoy while earning the farmer or rancher additional income,” course instructor Maarten Fischer said. “Opportunities may include pristine orchard campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, farmers’ golf locations, farm shops, child-care farms and education farms, among others.”

Fischer has been at the forefront of developing multifunctional agriculture in the Netherlands and Europe for the past 12 years. He has specific ideas to help participants apply similar concepts in Northwest Montana.

Guest speakers will include entrepreneurs and experts from the northwest corner of Montana.

Made possible by a Montana Department of Agriculture Growth Through Agriculture grant, the course draws from partnerships with Farm Hands, Montana West Economic Development, Flathead County Economic Development Authority and the Lake County Community Development Corporation.

Participants will meet at different locations around the Flathead Valley for the four sessions from Jan. 31 through the end of March. The cost is $100 per person, which includes all course materials and lunches.

To register, contact the community college’s Continuing Education Center at 756-3832. For additional course information, call Fischer at 260-7840.

After the course is completed in Flathead County, extension offices and farm and agriculture centers around the state will receive the course materials.