Business, skills classes for landscape beginners

There's money to be made in landscapes. But like the "gold in them thar hills," there's much to be learned about the kind of business needed to extract that money.

For people just starting a landscaping or lawn care business and those who haven't been at it long, the University of Georgia offers the 2005 Business Skills Workshop for Beginning Landscape and Lawn Care Professionals Nov. 16-17 in Acworth.

The workshop will cover the nuts and bolts of starting your own business. UGA faculty and industry leaders will share tips on developing a business plan, marketing, legal issues, buying equipment, cost estimating, job bidding, trade associations, common problems, helpful resources and wise decision making.

The sessions begin each day at 8:30 a.m. in Building 500 at North Metro Technical Institute in Acworth. They end at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday and 4 p.m. Thursday. Directions are on the Web www.northmetro.tec.ga.us/directions.asp.

The fee is $100, or $125 after Nov. 1. It covers instruction, refreshment breaks, lunch both days, maintenance estimating software and handout materials. Preregistration closes Nov. 9.

Get a registration form at http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/business-skills.htm. To learn more, contact your county University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office, or call (706) 542-2861.

— Dan Rahn