The University of Scranton SBDC, along with SBDC partners at Pennsylvania West University Clarion and Penn State University have teamed up to create the PA SBDC Agriculture Center of Excellence, a joint initiative designed to help Pennsylvania agriculture businesses sustain operations and stabilize food supply chains in the wake of the pandemic.
Through this new initiative SBDC Business Consultants are available to:
- Offer online informational and training sessions addressing issues such as business management (planning, diversification, financing and expansion), finance (internal cash flow assessment as well as assessing federal and state loan and grant programs), product sales (market research, direct marketing), Internet usage (social media, search engine optimization [SEO]), and cybersecurity) and environmental impacts – as influenced by COVID-19
- Provide business consultations at no cost for individuals and business teams, their suppliers and distributors
- Provide guidance to small agricultural businesses about ways to protect their workplaces, employees, and customers against potential health and safety threats, including COVID-19
- Offer information and guidance with regard to Paycheck Protection Program loans, SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and all types of SBA, USDA, and other commercial loan programs so small businesses can effectively access capital and promote viable agricultural operations, growth, and future resiliency
Training
On-Demand
So You Want to Start a Food Truck: Your Guide to Starting a Mobile Food Enterprise
Details | View the Recording
Social Media 101 for Food on the Move
Details | View the Recording
Making Your Business Plan Work for You
Details | View the Recording
Food Subscription & Community-Supported Agriculture Program Basics
Details | View the Recording
Running a Great Farmers’ Market Booth, Part 1
Details | View the Recording
Running a Great Farmers’ Market Booth, Part 2: Display Building
Details | View the Recording
Leveling Up Your Food Business: Trade Show Basics
Details | View the Recording
Website Best Practices for Food Products
Details | View the Recording
Selling Food Products Wholesale for Small-Scale Producers
Details | View the Recording
Holiday Selling for Food Producers (Webinar)
Details | View the Recording
For additional PA Centers of Excellence events, click here, set the Center to All, and enter COE as the keyword.
If you are a for-profit small business in food or agriculture that would like assistance, please complete our Request for Consulting or you can e-mail or call 570-941-4149 for more information. We look forward to assisting you!
Funding support for this initiative was provided by the United States Small Business Administration and the CARES Act. Services are provided through support with our partners. To learn about the other PASBDC Centers of Excellence located at centers across the state visit the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers website.
Downloads
Enter your contact information to download the Tips as You Consider Adding Food to Your Retail Business PDF.