Growing in the GreenSeam Workshop

Growing in the GreenSeam Workshop – Owatonna

Tuesday, June 9 | 8:30 am to 1:30 pm | Owatonna Public Utilities – Morehouse Room | 208 Walnut Ave S, Owatonna, MN

Growing in the GreenSeam is a hands-on, half-day workshop connecting Economic Development and Business Support professionals in southern Minnesota with practical tools and peer learning to equip their clients and local food and ag businesses to start, grow, and scale.

Who Should Attend?

Economic development and entrepreneur support professionals in southern Minnesota
B2B services providers working with a food- or agriculture-based clientele
Business leaders in food- and agriculture-driven communities

What You’ll Gain

Learn to Navigate
Learn to guide food & ag business founders through the region’s business landscape using the University of Minnesota Extension’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework, presented by Extension Educator, Becca Leys
Expert Advice
Hear from Victor Iverson, Co-Owner of Hope Creamery as he discusses the realities of growing a food business, navigating challenges, and identifying opportunities for long-term success.
Network & Connect
Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, business leaders, and support organizations.
Learn Practical Business Strategies
Learn practical business strategies from Dr. Jeff Stamp, inventor of Baked Lay’s potato chips and University of Minnesota entrepreneurship professor

Register For The Event

Event Agenda

8:30 am – Registration

9:00 am – Breakfast & Welcome
Holly Callaghan, Economic Development Specialist, GreenSeam
Sean Williams, Executive Director of the Owatonna Area Business Development Center

9:15 am – Owatonna’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Becca Leys, Community Economics Educator at the University of Minnesota Extension

10:00 am – Planning Your Business: The 6 Problems All Businesses Must Solve
Jeff Stamp, Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences.

11:30 am – Networking Break

11:45 am – The Entrepreneur Experience: The Start, Gaining Traction, The Scale
Fireside Chat with Victor Mrotz of Hope Creamery and Larry Schultz of Larry Schultz Organic Farm, Moderated by Dr. Jeff Stamp

12:15 pm – Conclusion & Resource Fair
Holly Callaghan, Economic Development Specialist, GreenSeam