Auburn – Entrepreneurs in the Sierra Nevada can advance their careers in forestry and build resilient communities thanks to a new tuition-free weekend bootcamp called the Forest Entrepreneurship Training Program.
Sierra Business Council, in partnership with Sierra Commons, is hosting a two-day workshop on Dec. 7 and 8 in Auburn to create more forest-based businesses in California.
The Forest Entrepreneurship Training is part of an ongoing series. Since launching last spring, educators have conducted training in rural communities throughout the Sierra Nevada including Nevada City, Mammoth Lakes and most recently Sonora.
“There is a huge business opportunity in our forested communities, and the nexus of entrepreneurship, job creation and existing market needs such as forest thinning, defensible space and small-diameter timber manufacturing can provide much-needed opportunities that have the co-benefits of wildfire mitigation and economic development,” says Kristin York, Vice President of Sierra Business Council.
The course is designed for those who have started or are interested in starting a business in forest thinning and management, defensible space, prescribed fire application, small mass timber product manufacturing, small diameter timber utilization, biofuel, bioenergy, home hardening, plant restoration, other non-timber-related businesses and/or forestry logistics.
Led by experts from a variety of backgrounds, students will hear from leaders with backgrounds in forestry, business, marketing and finance, startups, emergency services and more.
Participants will explore how preparing Sierra communities for forest resilience can also launch exciting new career pathways and emerging industries.
About the Forest Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
The workshop series covers all aspects of launching or expanding a business and will be led by Robert X Trent, the founder of Nevada City’s nonprofit business incubator, Sierra Commons. Trent is an experienced consultant who has taught hundreds of entrepreneurs over the years.
“There are so many opportunities to start and grow high-demand businesses throughout the Sierra that it’s mind-boggling. This course is a perfect fit for people who have an entrepreneurial spirit and, at the same time, are deeply rooted in the safety and well-being of their community,” said Trent.
Students will learn the basic foundations of good business – from finance, pricing, and cash flow to research, marketing and sales and the complex world of government contracts and permits. Students will expand their knowledge and access to resources with an accountability group and one-to-one advising.
“Sierra Commons and Sierra Business Council have a pretty stellar understanding of what it takes to start and grow successful businesses. It’s not as simple as just learning how to operate an enterprise. It’s also about weaving a positive mindset and character-set into everything a business owner does,” said Trent.
Each participant is eligible for personalized technical assistance at no cost through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program.
The curriculum is designed to provide:
● Technical assistance to launch small businesses and entrepreneurial development focused on a broad range of forest and wood-based businesses
● Training and guidance for transforming businesses from individual ownership to cooperative businesses to support economic justice at business ownership levels
● Opportunities to showcase emerging business opportunities that have co-benefits of wildfire reduction and economic development, particularly at the nexus of wood product development and outdoor recreation in rural forested communities
● A nexus to existing markets and identified needs such as forest thinning and management, application of prescribed fire, small mass timber product manufacturing, small diameter timber utilization, biofuels manufacture, logistics and support
Funding for this program was provided by a Good Jobs Challenge EDA-funded grant through the Foundation for California Community Colleges to conduct forestry and fire-mitigation training programs in the Sierra Nevada region of Northeastern California.
Pre-registration is required.
Learn more and register at https://www.sierrabusiness.org/archives/forestry-entrepreneurship/
Sierra Business Council is a Sierra-based nonprofit organization with a mission to catalyze and demonstrate innovative approaches and solutions to increase community vitality, economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social fairness in the Sierra Nevada. www.sierrabusiness.org
Sierra Commons empowers rural entrepreneurs by offering heart-forward business education, resources, and community. www.sierracommons.org