Virginia Cooperative Extension develops Growers Academy in collaboration with VT Earthworks

Flowers, anyone? How about some steaks from locally raised, grass-fed beef? Or bunches of organically grown herbs?

All of these products may be in more plentiful supply in southwest Virginia thanks to VT EarthWorks, a new business-acceleration program for agriculture businesses. Who benefits from the VT EarthWorks intensive-learning series called the Growers Academy? Those with a dream of providing flowers, organic herbs and vegetables, and other agricultural products to the region. The course helps people break into small-scale farming.

As many of them know, it’s one thing to yearn to sell your backyard or family farm’s largesse to local stores and restaurants. It’s another to master the tools of business plans, loans, and market connections. Read more.