Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Low Cost AWA Egg Cartons

Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) offers AWA branded egg cartons at a low cost to AWA farms that are currently approved for laying hens. These cartons are made of 100% reclaimed paper and enable producers to market eggs in a professional container featuring an AWA approved logo, which illustrates to consumers that your farm offers eggs from hens raised with the highest welfare standards. There is also space on the carton for your own farm-branded label and space on the inside for a nutrition facts label. AWA even offers assistance with label development.

Each carton only costs $0.15 and can be ordered in bundles of 200 for only $30!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO ORDER AWA CARTONS!!AWA Egg Carton

Friday, August 17, 2012

Connecting Farm$ to Local Market$



Connecting Farm$ to Local Market$
Friday, September 14, 2012
8:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, Kentucky
A networking opportunity designed to introduce Kentucky growers to wholesale and retail markets!

Speaker Information

The morning program will feature three panel presentations focusing on wholesale and institutional market needs and requirements for potential sales
9:00 a.m.     *Large Volume Produce Buyers –discussing past bulk sales for large institutions and the restaurant market, present needs and future predictions for local food beyond (and including) tomatoes and corn.

·         Ellen McGeeney, President, Grasshoppers Distribution, Louisville, Ky – buys from more than 60 farmers in Southern Indiana and Kentucky
·         Doug Polk,  President and COO, Southern Foods, Bowling Green, Kentucky – supporting the Kentucky Proud program
·         Krey Kenney, Specialty Purchaser, Creation Gardens; specializes in delivering food to chefs in Louisville, Lexington, Evansville and Nashville areas as well as institutions such as University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt

9:40 a.m.    *Volume Meat and Grain Buyers – livestock distribution and value added product opportunities
·         Marksbury Farms – Preston Correll; buying animals from farmers for distribution in Louisville and Lexington
·         Woodlands Farm – Jay Denham;  needs  and adds value to farm-raised pork by drying and curing meat the old-fashioned way/also seeks barley growers
·         Brian Churchill -  Operations manager, Preferred Popcorn; buys popcorn from Kentucky and Indiana farmers for international sales

10:35 a.m.    *Public School System Institutional Buyers
Kentucky’s 120 county school system food service directors are encouraged by USDA  to “Know Your Farmer/Know Your Food” by purchasing locally grown food products.  Learn the requirements and current successes with the Farm to School program
·         Beth Miller, Metcalfe County Public Schools
·         Kim Simpson,  Bowling Green City Schools

12:00 noon   Plate It Up, Kentucky Proud Luncheon
·       
    Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture, James Comer, will highlight the wholesale/retail market opportunities and incentives provided through the “Kentucky Proud” marketing program along with his view of future market sales trends throughout the state for direct sales

1:30 p.m. *Round Table Discussions – growers will learn more about the cost of doing business as well as talking “one on one” with company representatives about potential sales requirements and opportunities, rotating every 20 minutes! Featured speakers from the morning panels will discuss in-depth sales opportunities.  Other topics and speakers include:

·         Insurance Protection  - Scott Bouldin, Kentucky Farm Bureau
·         Kentucky Health Department Food Safety Requirements – Shadrick Adams
·         State Park Sales – Lisa Davis, Barren River State Park
·         Hart County Produce Auctions – Joe Schmucker
·         Winery and Resort sales – Nick Noble, Park Mammoth Resort
·         Restaurant Sales - Brickyard Café – Robert Stupar
·         Restaurant Sales – Home Café – Josh Poling
·         Business Plans – Rich Laing, KCARD
·         Farm to School sales – Chuck Bennett, Bennett Farms, Scottsville – Beth Miller, Metcalfe Co. Schools
·         Kentucky Food Bank Association – Tamara Sandberg

County Extension agents will receive in-service education credits for attendance. Registration is$15 per person and is due Sept. 7 to the Warren County Cooperative Extension Service, 3231 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101. For more information visit: http://ces.ca.uky.edu/Warren/farmdollars