Among the many businesses going green are ‘mom and pop’ businesses that are starting up based on strong ecological beliefs and themes.
The Minneapolis Daily describes a variety of business types aligning in an interesting article, ‘Businesses Join Green Movement‘.
Whether businesses are searching for ways to be more sustainable, hoping to learn how to advertise in environmentally friendly ways, or simply gain additional clients or jobs, even college courses on business and the environment and global economy are experiencing record enrollment.
A mom and pop business created to distribute eco-friendly residential house cleaning products is used as an example of a successful niche business.
At the national level, we talk casually about billions and trillions of dollars.
And not too long ago, it was difficult to obtain small business loans for less than $250,000.00.
Which just goes to show, what a difference a few dollars can make in the lives of small business owners who want to better their lives.
Recently, fifty farmers in the western North Carolina mountains received funding to help them diversify their operations. A total of $225,000 was provided by the NC Tobacco Trust Commission and disbursed by Western North Carolina Agricultural Options in $3,000, $6,000, and $9,000 grants.
Since 2003, the Trust Fund Commission has supported WNC AgOptions, a N.C. Cooperative Extension program that provides resources to farmers diversifying or expanding their operations, particularly those transitioning from tobacco production.
Many of the farm recipients were seeking grants to add or expand related streams of income or stabliize year round employment. Grant recipients plan to transition farm land into U-Pick areas, expand existing herb and bee operations, or saw their own lumber to create outbuildings for agritourism activities.
You can read more about the creative business plans of these farms here.
| Sometimes it’s difficult to define what constitutes ‘rural life’ or a ‘rural business’. According to official U.S. Census Bureau definitions, rural areas comprise open country and populations or ’settlements’ with fewer than 2,500 residents. |
Every rural business can enjoy a clean slate in the new year
The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year
has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and
possibilities of the coming twelve months!
~Edward Payson Powell
With thanks to reader Barbara McWilliams, another source of the ‘Improving Your Rural Business With The ADA’ training package discussed yesterday is 
