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Young Virgin Islanders with dreams of owning an agriculture-focused business now have the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills, in an exciting weekend retreat.
The Shaping Equity Through Conservation Entrepreneurial Camp (STECEC) is jointly facilitated by the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension Service, the Advanced Minds Pursuing Success (AMPS) Entrepreneurship Leadership Institute, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).
Open to aspiring agro-entrepreneurs from 16-22, STE CEC will deliver skills training through a series of informational sessions, workshops, and business games. Topics to be addressed include public speaking, effective communication. goal setting, financial skills development, and ethics, among others.
Dr. Louis Petersen, assistant director of the UVI Cooperative Extension Service, said organizers were "excited" to provide a forum in which Young Virgin Islanders can "learn how to translate their vision and creativity into meaningful enterprises that support communities and promote economic self-sufficiency."
The February 3-5 retreat at Emerald Beach Resort on St Thomas will not only teach aspiring business leaders "real-world entrepreneurial and leadership skills," as Dr. Petersen put it, but will also offer participants the chance to win startup cash, through the SETCEC Venture Capital Competition.
Through the support of the three co-sponsor organizations, the retreat is free of cost to attendees, who are however required to apply for the program. The online application form is available at www.ampsinstitute.com. Deadline: January 27th.
