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Mason jars

FROM KITCHEN TO CASH

Cottage Food Business Workshop + Mentorship Program

2
1
8
100
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Amber Chitwood

Founder + owner, Sunny Side Down LLC

Director, Ridgeway Farmer's Market

in-person workshops (child care available!)
packet of materials
weeks of hands-on support
printed labels to get started
weekend table at Ridgeway Market

totally FREE

OUR GOAL:

to give you the information and support you need to start making money out of your own home by this summer!

What is a Cottage Food Business?

Wisconsin has a "Cottage Food Law" that allows people to sell nonperishable baked goods and some canned goods (like jams and pickles) directly to anyone in the state. There are some specifics about where and how to sell.

What will happen in this program?

Amber Chitwood is the co-founder and co-owner of Sunny Side Down, LLC, which started as a Cottage Food Business out of Dodgeville. She also runs the extraordinarily successful Ridgeway Farmer's Market, and knows the ins and outs of starting a small market booth successfully.

Amber will help you understand everything you need to know to start your own Cottage Business safely and legally -- and to start making a profit from your work.

You will attend TWO in-person classes, each about 3 hours long, at Merrimac and Main (115 W. Merrimac St, Dodgeville WI), with child care available on site, and you will be sent home with some materials developed by Amber.

For eight weeks, Amber will be available to coach you along the way for one-on-one support. Panicking about food safety? Give her a text. Not sure what your labels should say? She can answer all your questions as they come up.

You will also have access to printing 100 labels to get started, and you will receive a free booth at the Ridgeway Farmer's Market for one weekend this summer.

When is it?

Application DEADLINE: February 29, 2024

We will select program dates based on availability of participants. Options are:

  • Saturdays, 3:00 - 6:00 PM, March 23 + April 6

  • Sundays, 2:00 - 5:00 PM, March 24 + April 7​

  • Tuesdays, 5:30 - 8:00 PM, March 26 + April 2

Appliation

What are the costs?

Participation is absolutely FREE. $0. This includes workshops, materials, child care, 100 labels, mentoring, and a market booth.

This program was funded by Prosperity Southwest.

In order to launch your own Cottage Food Business, you will need to pay for your own materials to get started at home. We think most people can do this for as little as $100.  If you don't have access to great workspace at home, you can also rent out the kitchen at Merrimac + Main for a reduced cost.

You should apply if:

you enjoy baking, canning, pickling, or soap-making

you want to make a little extra money on the side

Let us know if:

child care on site would be helpful

you're feeling shy about applying + need a pep talk!

you have any questions about the program

APPLICATION FORM

Which of these is true for you?
Please check ALL dates you could be available for classes at M+M in Dodgeville. We will choose ONE based on participant availability.

Thank you! We’ll be in touch.

Sorry, the application deadline has closed. Please email merrimacmain@gmail.com to be added to our waitlist.

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