‘Agbusiness’ Classes Help Plan Growth

Hawaii Community College is offering two new non-credit classes combining business with agriculture beginning next week.

Students can earn certificates in the basics of landscaping, and in business and market planning for agricultural entrepreneurs, otherwise known as “agbusiness.”

HCC agriculture Professor Chris Jacobsen, who developed the classes, described them as “an excellent way for people to expand their agricultural knowledge and skills in a short amount of time.”

The first class starts Aug. 12. Costs vary from $39 to $100 for sets of classes that lead to either a certificate of participation or certificate of professional development in three to five days.

Jacobsen said the landscaping class will help those “developing skills to prepare for employment in the industry,” or those who just “want to learn some professional tricks to care for your own yard.”

The agbusiness class will provide “insights into the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in Hawaii,” while exploring business plans, marketing strategies, costs of production and more.

To register, call Serry Kanakaole-Wong at 981-2860, ext. 231, or email serrylee@hawaii.edu.

The classes are funded from a $24.6 million C3T grant awarded to the University of Hawaii Community Colleges through the US Department of Labor.