The Cal Poly-Rita Bee Hill Higher Education Center in Tulare got off to a good start last year, enrolling 93 students in e-commerce technology classes.

Now the trick is to survive a second year, said program coordinator Diane Friend.

The Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded the first year, but the money is spent.

The e-commerce program offered nine-week workshops last summer and fall on how to integrate e-commerce techniques into a small business.

Around 80% of students owned or worked for a small business, and 75% worked in agriculture or ag-related businesses.

No classes are yet scheduled this summer at the Heritage Complex because the funding isn't there, Friend said. It would take $100,000 to $200,000 to fund another year.

Cal Poly isn't sending money.

It was contracted by the International Agri-Center to supply curriculum and instruction and, of course, lend its name.

The Tulare program must support itself through government or private grants, and class fees, said Skip Parks, dean of continuing education at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.

Meanwhile, he's scouring the CSU system for possible contributions.