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Landowners interested in developing businesses that take advantage of the natural resources on their property have two workshop opportunities in September.

“The program is designed to give participants the chance to learn about starting their own value-added business or find out how to improve on existing ventures,” said Justin Schneider, IFB staff attorney.

The first workshop takes place Sept. 7 at Snider’s Maple Syrup in New Paris, Ind. (Elkhart County). This workshop includes information on maple syrup, forest management, wildlife habitat and other topics. The second is Sept. 8 on Piney Acres Farm, Fortville, Ind. (Hancock County). Content will include information on agritourism ventures such as corn mazes, hayrides and growing Christmas trees.

Morning sessions will be on revenue potential, legal concerns and real-life examples of successful enterprises. Afternoons include field trips based on the location. The workshops each day run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Natural Resource Enterprises program was established to educate non-industrial private landowners about sustainable natural resource enterprises and compatible habitat management practices. In Indiana it is coordinated by Purdue University and Indiana Farm Bureau in partnership with Mississippi State.

The deadline to sign up for either workshop is Aug. 31, and the cost is $35 each in advance. On-site registration is available for $45. To access sign-up forms for the workshops or more information on the Natural Resource Enterprises program, visit www.ag.purdue.edu/fnr/Pages/nre.aspx.

Note to editors: This Farm Bureau photo of a worker shaping a Christmas tree is available to run with the news release below. To obtain a higher resolution image, you can email Kathleen Dutro at the address listed above, or you can download one by clicking on the image at above.