In this issue:

ECB and CEW Moth Flight Update

Cabbage Looper Alert

Soybean Aphid Update

Cowpea Aphids Arrive, in Alfalfa

Business Planning Guide Available

Swedish Machine for Fresh-Market Growers

New Business Planning Guide Will Help Entrepreneurs Throughout the U.S.

Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA), July Issue

You can get a new guide to developing sustainable businesses from the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA). It's called "Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses."

This 280-page guidebook addresses the evolving business planning needs of beginning and experienced rural entrepreneurs. It was developed by a team of U of M faculty and staff, individual farmers and consultants. Six farmers were asked to develop their own business plans using the draft materials. The final guide incorporates recommendations from the farm families and includes five of their business plans. Sample worksheets lend a practical perspective and illustrate how real farm families set goals, researched processing alternatives, determined potential markets and evaluated financing options. Blank worksheets help the reader develop a detailed, lender-ready business plan or map out strategies to take advantage of new opportunities.

"We hope the guide will assist today's alternative and traditional business owners alike with the creation of a holistic business plan rooted firmly in personal, community economic and environmental values," the preface reads.

It was co-produced by MISA and the Sustainable Agricultural Network. The wire-bound guidebook is available for $17.95 (including shipping and handling) from MISA. To order from MISA, send a check or money order payable to the University of Minnesota to MISA, 411 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108. Or, call (800) 909-6472 or e-mail misamail@umn.edu. This publication is also available electronically at http://www.misa.umn.edu/publications/bizplan.html.

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Research Fellow, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu

Last Revised August 7, 2003.
The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer. ©1999-2003 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.