1. 2008 National Women in Agriculture Educators Conference April 1, 2008 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Help for Entrepreneurs – eXtension Puts Assistance at Your Fingertips

2. What is the eXtension Initiative? National web-based information and education network Objective, science-based information from universities and partners nationwide 24 / 7 / 365 access

3. Why is Extension Pursuing This?

4. Entrepreneurs … Responsible for 60-80% net new jobs Most small firms are start-ups, less than 2 years old Small firms are driving innovation  U.S. Small Business Administration (2002)

5. Communities That Embrace Entrepreneurship More robust economic climate Greater civic engagement More effective government

6. Why Should Communities Be Entrepreneurial? New era – industrial recruitment not the answer Allows communities and community members to build on assets and talents Important to local economies

7. Entrepreneurship Priorities Building and supporting business skills for current and emerging entrepreneurs Expanding access to capital Building networks and collaborations Creating community support for entrepreneurs (i.e., policies) Strengthening youth entrepreneurship efforts Developing virtual resource centers

8. Regional representation RRDC leadership The eXtension Entrepreneurship System Community of Practice Community of Interests (the eXtension customers) Regional Entrepreneurship Resource Team in Each Region Web-based Products and Resources

9. Major Thrusts Entrepreneurs and Service Providers Entrepreneur Ready Communities

10. Audiences: Entrepreneurship Communities of Interest (CoI) Rural entrepreneurs Participants in regional listening sessions Community practitioners Local governments Traditional extension clientele Extension faculty

11. Key Components FAQs Information Briefs Information Briefs Data/ Tools Data/ Tools State/Local Policies State/Local Policies Learning Modules Learning Modules Research Highlights Case Studies Case Studies Ask the Expert Ask the Expert Activities of the National eXtension Entrepreneurship Team Events/ Current News Events/ Current News

12. Feedback From You How do we make this site more valuable to you? What do we need to do to make this site more user-friendly?

13. Entrepreneurs and Their Communities Where the spirit of entrepreneurship lives!

14. Presenter Contacts Gae Broadwater Cooperative Extension Program Kentucky State University 400 East Main Street Frankfort, KY 40601 502-597-6325 gae.broadwater@kysu.edu Mary Peabody University of Vermont Extension and Women’s Agricultural Network 617 Comstock Road, Ste 5 Berlin, VT 05602-9194 802-223-2389 x-13 mary.peabody@uvm.edu