Are you interested in / already operating beginning farmer training
programs?
The National Incubator Farm Training Initiative (NIFTI) is
hosting a webinar on integrating marketing support
and cooperative marketing on incubator farms. They will discuss ways
for marketing incubator farmers' products, cooperative storage,
distribution, marketing infrastructure (food hubs), maintaining product
quality, and food safety concerns.
This webinar will take place Wednesday, January 30th (1 pm to 2:30 pm)
Reserve your space by clicking HERE!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
2013 Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference
Do you want to learn about economic and marketing updates, forage management, water quality, reproduction and health management, and participate in a producer panel discussion? Then you need to go to the KY Small Ruminant Grazing Conference at Morehead State University. There will be many incredible guest speakers from the University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Fort Valley State University, and more!
For more information contact: David Ditsch at dditsch@uky.edu or (859)257-9511 x286
When: Saturday, February 2, 2013 (8:30 am to 4 pm)
Where: 25 MSU Farm Dr. in Morehead, KY 40351
For more information contact: David Ditsch at dditsch@uky.edu or (859)257-9511 x286
When: Saturday, February 2, 2013 (8:30 am to 4 pm)
Where: 25 MSU Farm Dr. in Morehead, KY 40351
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Free Grant Preparation Workshop
Free Grant Preparation Workshop
Join Aleta Botts and others in Somerset, Kentucky, on January 25 for a workshop on grant preparation strategies and opportunities for Kentucky agricultural producers and rural businesses.
If you are interested in learning more about how to find and secure funding opportunities, how to prepare strong applications, or how to connect with other resources available to you, then you should join us at this free workshop. They will discuss basic strategies for navigating most grant applications, highlight some specific programs that you might be interested in, and help you become more familiar with the realities of grant-hunting.
The workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Pulaski County Extension Office at 28 Parkway Drive in Somerset, and lunch will be provided.
While there is no charge for the workshop, pre-registration is required and participants will be accepted first come, first served. If you are interested in registering, contact Aleta Botts at botts@growkentuckyag.com or at 859-951-8328.
Join Aleta Botts and others in Somerset, Kentucky, on January 25 for a workshop on grant preparation strategies and opportunities for Kentucky agricultural producers and rural businesses.
If you are interested in learning more about how to find and secure funding opportunities, how to prepare strong applications, or how to connect with other resources available to you, then you should join us at this free workshop. They will discuss basic strategies for navigating most grant applications, highlight some specific programs that you might be interested in, and help you become more familiar with the realities of grant-hunting.
The workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Pulaski County Extension Office at 28 Parkway Drive in Somerset, and lunch will be provided.
While there is no charge for the workshop, pre-registration is required and participants will be accepted first come, first served. If you are interested in registering, contact Aleta Botts at botts@growkentuckyag.com or at 859-951-8328.
Eastern Kentucky Food System Collaborative Meeting
The Eastern Kentucky Food System Collaborative meeting will focus around moving forward with the vision of a healthy regional food system in Eastern Kentucky. Commissioner James Comer will speak over a local lunch and during a panel discussion about local food success in Eastern Kentucky communities.
When: Thursday, January 17 (10 am - 4 pm)
Where: The Woodland Center at Natural Bridge State Park in Slade, KY
R.S.V.P. to: Alexa Arnold, alexa@cfaky.org
Click HERE to Purchase Lunch Tickets!
When: Thursday, January 17 (10 am - 4 pm)
Where: The Woodland Center at Natural Bridge State Park in Slade, KY
R.S.V.P. to: Alexa Arnold, alexa@cfaky.org
Click HERE to Purchase Lunch Tickets!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Packaging Matters
Came across a great feature in Food Processing - "Gourmet Packages Team Substance With Style" by Kate Connolly.
Skim at:
http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2012/gourmet-packaging.html
Many nice links and examples.
This article reminds us that packaging is such an important part of the product and building brand identity. Many of our local processed foods involve small batches and artisan creations that lend themselves perfectly to appetites of certain consumers. But the packaging needs to convey the product's handmade qualities - especially if you are selling in a busy retail venue. Otherwise, your product can easily get lost in the ocean of commercial substitute products without ever providing a signal that the package contains something very special.
Many small scale, start-up food entrepreneurs are reluctant to make the necessary investments in packaging and presentation. Packaging can become expensive, but look for help. KDA has some great cost-sharing programs to help with logo and package design, providing a nice boost to your merchandising dollar.
See the application at: http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/KYP_GrantApplication.pdf
We discuss these programs in our MarketReady trainings. I'm going to attempt to bring along some nice examples of how producers have used this program to upgrade their own packaging in some future blogs posts. It's a competitive marketspace. Under-investing in packaging and presentation means underselling the product.
Keep in mind - good packaging will contribute to
1. Higher first trial rates
2. Higher repeat sales and inventory turns
3. Artisan reputation effects - including product referrals
4. Higher retailer interest in supporting your product
5. In many cases - ability for you to charge "artisan" prices
Finally - foodprocessing.com has many good resources for commercial packaging - everything from glass to cryovac to bar code printers. Check out the site.
Happy New Year to All - and great food marketing successes for 2013!
Tim
Skim at:
http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2012/gourmet-packaging.html
Many nice links and examples.
This article reminds us that packaging is such an important part of the product and building brand identity. Many of our local processed foods involve small batches and artisan creations that lend themselves perfectly to appetites of certain consumers. But the packaging needs to convey the product's handmade qualities - especially if you are selling in a busy retail venue. Otherwise, your product can easily get lost in the ocean of commercial substitute products without ever providing a signal that the package contains something very special.
Many small scale, start-up food entrepreneurs are reluctant to make the necessary investments in packaging and presentation. Packaging can become expensive, but look for help. KDA has some great cost-sharing programs to help with logo and package design, providing a nice boost to your merchandising dollar.
See the application at: http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/KYP_GrantApplication.pdf
We discuss these programs in our MarketReady trainings. I'm going to attempt to bring along some nice examples of how producers have used this program to upgrade their own packaging in some future blogs posts. It's a competitive marketspace. Under-investing in packaging and presentation means underselling the product.
Keep in mind - good packaging will contribute to
1. Higher first trial rates
2. Higher repeat sales and inventory turns
3. Artisan reputation effects - including product referrals
4. Higher retailer interest in supporting your product
5. In many cases - ability for you to charge "artisan" prices
Finally - foodprocessing.com has many good resources for commercial packaging - everything from glass to cryovac to bar code printers. Check out the site.
Happy New Year to All - and great food marketing successes for 2013!
Tim
2013 Produce Growers Meeting
The 2013 Produce Growers Meeting will take place on January 31. Topics will include getting ready for 2013, managing family produce farms to get the best profits, high tunnel tomato production and disease control, other crops that can be grown in high tunnels, maximizing profits for your greenhouse, producing more and better quality cantaloups and watermelons, disease control for melons and pumpkins, and marketing tips for 2013. The event will end with time for questions and answers with the guest speakers. Attendance for this event is open to all growers producing for the Lincoln County Produce Auction, Farmers Markets, roadside markets, etc.
WHEN: Thursday, January 31, 10 am to 3 pm
WHERE: Sportsman's Club in Crab Orchard, Kentucky on highway 150
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
What's Hot in 2013? More "local" food!
A new press release from our good friends at the National Restaurant Association confirming chef perspectives on what will be hot in 2013 - - local everything!
Locally sourced meats/seafood and local produce are #1 and #2 again for this coming year. Hyper-local (restaurant gardens) at #7 and farm/estate branded items at #11 make the top 20 again. Food trucks cracked the top 20 this year - something I hope we will see a lot more of in our local food community in Kentucky soon - and good opportuities for local farmers.
The other rising theme worth noting - restaurants want to do a better job reaching kids - heathful kids meals, children's nutrition, fruit and vegetable side items for kids were each noted among what will be hot in 2013.
See even more detail at:
http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/social-media-releases/release/?page=social_media_whats_hot_2013.cfm
Locally sourced meats/seafood and local produce are #1 and #2 again for this coming year. Hyper-local (restaurant gardens) at #7 and farm/estate branded items at #11 make the top 20 again. Food trucks cracked the top 20 this year - something I hope we will see a lot more of in our local food community in Kentucky soon - and good opportuities for local farmers.
The other rising theme worth noting - restaurants want to do a better job reaching kids - heathful kids meals, children's nutrition, fruit and vegetable side items for kids were each noted among what will be hot in 2013.
See even more detail at:
http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/social-media-releases/release/?page=social_media_whats_hot_2013.cfm
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