Hanover’s Perspective
AG-X Workshop Scholarships Available to Ag-Businesses/Entrepreneurs in Hanover County
Hanover County Economic Development is offering scholarships to Hanover-based ag-businesses interested in attending a Dominion Energy Innovation Center exclusive four-session series in February and March 2025 with an optional fifth session providing preparation for participation in the Pitch Competition on April 10, 2025.
The AG-X 2025 Workshop Series – Building Your Brand, presented by the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, SCORE Richmond, and the Virginia Tech Extension Office, is designed to empower participants with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to analyze, strategize, and succeed in growing small agricultural endeavors. The 2025 workshop will empower participants to create a distinctive and impactful brand by defining their identity, crafting compelling messaging, and leveraging modern marketing strategies to grow their presence and build lasting customer connections.
The AG-X 2025 Workshop is open to agriculture-oriented businesses of all sizes and sectors, aiming to accelerate growth in the current economic climate. Tailored for entrepreneurs introducing value-added agricultural products, services, or brands, this program empowers ventures such as controlled environment agriculture, artisanal cheese, or field monitoring drones, to name a few.
The cost to participate in the Ag-X Workshop Series is $125 per company for up to three team members and is held as in-person events at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center located in the Town of Ashland. Jett Odle, a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader, best known as the co-founder of Rivers Edge Coffee Company, will lead the workshop series.
The workshops are held from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm on the following Thursday evenings:
Session #1 (February 13, 2025): Brand Basics
Session #2 (February 20, 2025): Brand as an Identity
Session #3 (February 27, 2025): Brand as a Story
Session #4 (March 6, 2025): Practical Brand Application
Session #5 (March 13, 2025): Center Street Pitch Competition Preparation (OPTIONAL)
Hanover County Economic Development is offering scholarships to a maximum of five Hanover-based businesses interested in attending the workshop series. Scholarships will reimburse the $125 registration fee upon completion of series. In order to receive reimbursement of the $125 registration fee, participant must attend at least three of the four workshop sessions. Interested participants must be registered as a business in Hanover County or be a resident operating an Ag-based business in Hanover County. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants.
Hanover-based businesses/entrepreneurs interested in a workshop scholarship must be approved by Economic Development before registering for the series. To be considered, registrants must complete and submit the online form using the link below. Upon approval, the registrant will be notified and provided an email detailing the terms of fee reimbursement. Questions should be directed to Ann Glave, Existing Business & Project Manager at (804) 365-6459 or agglave@hanovervirginia.com.
For more information and to register for the workshop series, visit Ag-X Workshop Series.
To apply for a Hanover-based Business Scholarship, please complete the online Ag-X 2025 Workshop Scholarship Application. Please wait for approval BEFORE registering for the workshop series.