Cenla Org

Louisiana Central

Cenla Org

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Entrepreneurship

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Business Acceleration System

Entrepreneurship is an important key to building the regional economy because it is entrepreneurs who turn ideas into business opportunities. Louisiana Central is committed to making this region a haven for entrepreneurial action through the Business Acceleration System. The Business Acceleration System is dedicated to speeding the development of entrepreneurs by helping them acquire and apply the knowledge they need to grow their companies.

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Farmer
Training Program

The Farmer Training Program, with support from the US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), provides in-depth assistance for farm and ranch-based business start-ups and existing business expansion. Annually this program offers group workshops, online programs, one on one technical assistance, business coaching, access to business loans, and many crucial services that support local production of specialty crops and grass-based livestock.

2024 Program
Side Hustle Initiative

Build a Side Business and Make Extra Money Without Quitting Your Day Job

If you want to get on the road to financial freedom and enjoy more passion and choice in your life, a Side Hustle can help you take the first critical steps. Whether the goal is to supplement your paycheck or jumpstart a full-time business, author Chris Guillebeau has created a step-by-step methodology for imagining, building, and launching side projects that can earn real, serious cash. In our six-week group sessions, we lead the cohort through the action steps to launch their first side hustle.
Partners

Our Partners:

Communities Unlimited

Small Business Development Center Alexandria

Bunkie Chamber of Commerce

Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce

Grant Chamber of Commerce

Marksville Chamber of Commerce

Vernon Chamber of Commerce

Winn Chamber of Commerce

Coaching Partners:

Leann Murphy

Mark Cazes

Daniel Williams

Melissa Flurry

Ingrid Johnson

Linda Fontenot
Makers

One of the most important characteristics of Louisiana Central is that #wemakegoodstuff. Our makers include metalworkers, woodworkers, factory and construction workers, musicians, painters, sculptors, bakers, poets, graphic artists, and many others. Many of the individuals and businesses who engage with our Business Acceleration System initiative are, first and foremost, makers. BAS supports these makers in a number of ways: seminars, business coaching, business model development, and networking. We also partner with the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce to present the annual We Make Good Stuff Bizzy Award. Some of these award winners are makers who are building businesses out of their passion to #makegoodstuff.
Regional Farmers Market Program Development

The Louisiana Central Farm & Food Team participates in multiple programs that have resources for farmers markets. For example:

The Alexandria Farmers Market: The AFM recently celebrated eight years in the Alexandria community. We have been a proud supporter and market partner since the beginning. We employ a full time market manager and a full time outreach coordinator for the market. We pride ourselves on maintaining a strong rural farmers market and invest in the maintenance of tried and true programming while also piloting innovative ways to meet the needs of our vendors and our community. Our market is farmer-centric, with strong ties to Louisiana agriculture. Learn more about our market HERE.

Greaux the Good: This statewide program gives Louisiana direct-to-consumer food purveyors (such as farmers, farmers markets, farm stands, and CSA's) the opportunity to create or expand a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) nutrition incentive program (SNAP/FMNP and SNAP/FMNP Match) This program has technical assitance and funding available to support matching programs! For more information please reach out to Jenny or click HERE.

The Louisiana Farmers Market Managers Network is a statewide community of practice founded by Louisiana Central and co-facilitated by us, BREADA, and Market Umbrella. We meet mothly via Zoom to connect market managers to one another and share best practices, lessons learned, and opportunities! If you lead a market in Louisiana we encourage you to join us. Please email Bahia to learn more and join this group.

Find a Local Farmers Market
Alexandria
Farmers Market

The Alexandria Farmers Market is an incredible beginning for farmers, food producers, and artisan entrepreneurs! The Farmers Market is a friendly and intimate setting assisting in creating fast relationships with customers and building brand loyalty. Not only are market-goers loyal, but they are also often curious. Business owners can therefore do product experimentation with direct customer feedback making innovation an easy thing to try. The Alexandria Farmers Market has a low-barrier entry point and creates maximum returns on investment. Learning who your customer is, and how to market, discuss, and sell to them is essential. The fellowship of a supportive community of businesses solving the same hurdles, working on the same problems is priceless. The Alexandria Farmers Market is the perfect opportunity to learn, improve, and shine.

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