WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A two-day workshop to help grant writers of all skill and experience levels learn how to write a grant proposal will be offered by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service.

This workshop is for both beginners and experienced grant writers to develop ideas into winning proposals, target potential funders and understand the full proposal development, submission and review process.

The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing workshop will be offered Oct. 29 and Dec. 2 at locations across Indiana. The workshop, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both dates, will teach participants how to get the most funding possible for their organizations.

“Participants from this workshop have been able to receive more funds for their projects than ever before. To date, participants have received $7.3 million in funded proposals,” said Sabina Calhoun, Purdue Extension program resource development officer.

This workshop is for both beginners and experienced grant writers to develop ideas into winning proposals, target potential funders and understand the full proposal development, submission and review process.

On the workshop’s first day, participants should come with an idea for a grant proposal, Calhoun said. By the end, they will have an outline and resources necessary to expand the outline into a full proposal.

When participants return the second day with a full written proposal, they will be put into the role of reviewers. Day two also will teach strategies for finding funding and provide an opportunity to polish proposals and submit them for professional review.

“This workshop is for participants to go back to their respective communities and have the chance to receive the funds for community growth, vitality and sustainability,” Calhoun said.

Site locations include:

• Aurora – City Building
• Bedford – Purdue Extension Lawrence County office
• Brookville – Franklin County Government Center
• Crown Point – Purdue Extension Lake County office
• Crawfordsville – Montgomery County Extension-Learning Network
• Danville – Hendricks College Network; 4-H Fairgrounds
• Elnora – North Daviess School Corp. and elementary school
• Frankfort – Purdue Extension Clinton County office
• Goshen – Purdue Extension Elkhart County office
• Greenfield – Purdue Extension Hancock County office
• Indianapolis – Purdue Extension Marion County office
• Lafayette – Purdue Extension Tippecanoe County office
• Morocco – Newton County Government Center
• Muncie – Ivy Tech Community College
• Newport – Vermillion County Courthouse
• Tipton – Purdue Extension Tipton County office

Registration deadline is Saturday (Oct. 10), and the workshop fee is $150 per person. The fee includes the “Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing” workbook, lunch both days and follow-up technical assistance. Checks should be payable to Purdue University.

A workshop brochure with additional information and a registration form can be downloaded by logging onto http://www.pcrd.purdue.edu/documents/grant_writing/sf09_gww_brochure.pdf . Additional information also is available by contacting Peggy Hosea at 765-236-0955, phosea@purdue.edu

The workshop is sponsored by Purdue Extension and the Purdue Center for Regional Development.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture will host the seventh annual Indiana Beef Integrated Resource Management Program on Aug. 12 at a West Lafayette-area farm.

The field day, scheduled for 2-6 p.m. at the Bob and Margaret Coon Farm, West Lafayette, will focus on improving the environment for cattle.

“The Coons have implemented management-intensive grazing, improved pastures, added a unique watering system, built a hay pad for hay storage and developed a no-mud feeding area for cattle during the winter,” said Mark Hilton, Purdue veterinarian and clinical associate professor of beef production medicine. “Our goal is to show the improvements the Coons have made over the last five years and to have them and our guest speakers help farmers take this information home with the ability to implement it as soon as the next day.”

The day’s speakers include Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist and professor of agronomy, and Susannah Hinds, Natural Resources Conservation Service grazing land specialist and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) expert.

In addition to talking about grazing, Hinds also will discuss ways farmers can ensure they have the best chance for success in securing funds from EQIP.

The free workshop will run from 2-5:30, followed by dinner. The cost of dinner is $8 per person and can be paid at the event. Participants are asked to register for the event by Aug. 4 to Rachel Heitkamp at 765-494-9234.

More information is available by contacting Hilton at 765-494-8559, hiltonw@purdue.edu.

The Bob and Margaret Coon Farm is located at 3020 N. 650 W., West Lafayette.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. –- An Employer Forum Meeting about the Alpine Clinic employer and employee assistance programs will take place on July 28 at Clarian Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana.

Psychiatrist Dr. Nizar El-Khalili and neuropsychologist Dr. Kelly Earnst of the Alpine Clinic will speak to area employers about how to determine if cognitive or emotional problems may be impacting an employee’s ability to function at work. Employers are invited to hear discussion of issues related to continued work, medical leave and disability. The doctors will also share assessment tools used to assess cognitive and emotional function.

The program titled “Alpine Clinic Employer and Employee Assistance Programs” will take place in rooms AG410 and AG411 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Clarian Arnett Hospital on July 28. For more information, contact Aadron Rausch at 765-448-8534 or arausch@clarianarnett.com.

CHICAGO, Ill. — A webinar introducing businesses to Blue Ocean Stratgey (BOS) and its techniques for growing companies during a recession will be held tomorrow (July 14) at 11:00a EST. The webinar explains how to apply Blue Ocean basics to combat problems like decreased demand, increased costs and customer price sensitivity. It will also cover strategies for increasing the value of products and service offerings.

There is no fee to attend this event, but capacity is limited and registration is required. Register online at http://www.watersideconsulting.net/webinarregistration.html.

Waterside Consulting Lead Strategist, Mike Bolden hold a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from The University of Chicago.

The webinar is hosted by Waterside Consulting and lead by Senior Principal, Carrie Halle and Lead Strategist, Michael Bolden. They will introduce listeners to Blue Ocean Strategy, expand the knowledge of those familiar with BOS, and explore new concepts in BOS 2.0.

Blue Ocean Strategy 2.0 is propriety to Waterside, and focuses on specific aspects of the Strategy Canvas and its Value Curves.

“We are currently in a serious economic slowdown which threatens the very existence of many businesses both in the U.S. and internationally. Most businesses are hurting and are watching their bottom lines shrink. Costs to make a product or provide a service are rising while customers and clients are spending less,” explains Mike Bolden, Lead Strategist at Waterside Consulting. “Blue Ocean Strategy helps companies differentiate their products or services in the marketplace to maintain or increase profitability.”

To register for the webinar, go to:
http://www.watersideconsulting.net/webinarregistration.html

For more information on Waterside Consulting and Blue Ocean Strategy 2.0, see their website at http://www.watersideconsulting.net

INDIANA — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will conduct a free online business workshop. The on-line workshop will be take place on Wednesday, June 16th, from 1:30pm-2:30pm (EDT).

The on-line business workshop will provide guidance to prepare small business owners for meeting with a lender. Business owners will learn how SBA is involved in the loan process, what documents to take to the lender, and how to make a good first impression with the lender. Business plans and other strategies needed to help businesses be successful will also be discussed. The Internet session will provide an overview of SBA guaranty loan programs and services that can help an entrepreneur start or grow a business.

By logging on one will see how:

• Improve business cash flow
• Refinancing existing debt
• Eliminate balloon payments
• How to use special programs for Veteran and women owned businesses
• Financing options available to construct or buy a building

Log on to the session from any computer anywhere. For the presentation log on to http://www.readytalk.com and for the audio portion call (866) 740-1260 the access code for both is 3056201#. To register, contact (317) 226-7272 x115 or vernice.mathis@sba.gov. The U.S. Small Business Administration is an agency of the Federal government.