COLUMBUS, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering a financial workshop to entrepreneurs and community leaders working with food or food-related initiatives.

The half-day workshop Funding, Financing and Grant Writing for Local Foods Development is for those trying to start a food business or interested in applying for grants for food-related initiatives like farmers markets. The workshop is offered Feb. 16 at the Lowndes County Extension Office. Registration is $25 and must be received by Feb. 9.

“We’re offering this workshop to help people who may be trying to start an agri-business venture and borrow money,” said Rachel Carter, Extension community planning specialist. “This training will offer a grant writing seminar for organizations, as well as answer questions about the financing side of running a business.”

Topics for the workshop include how to write a grant proposal, tips on working with lenders, and learning what grants, financing and fundraising opportunities are available. Speakers include personnel from BankFirst, Mississippi Main Street, the MSU Extension Service, and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Visit http://bit.ly/2DJj8PC or call Carter at 662-325-3141 for details.