Vt. contest boosts

food, farm industries



The Associated Press

RANDOLPH — The deadline is approaching to register for a business plan competition aimed at expanding farm, food and forestry businesses in Vermont.

Vermont Technical College and Strolling of the Heifers are putting on the competition. The deadline to register is Feb. 5.

All applications must involve some aspect of farming, forestry, food processing, distribution, packaging or retailing, including restaurants.

The winner will be awarded $10,000, with prizes of $8,000 and $5,000 for second and third place and two runner-up awards of $1,500.

The student competition awards $4,000 for the winner, $2,000 for second place and two runner-awards of $1,000.

Finalists will be picked by March 20 and have until May 22 to prepare detailed business plans.

Contestants can register and find rules and information at www.strollingheifers.com.