Farm to School "Pitch Room"

All producers and Food Service Directors interested in the Farm to School program are invited the first ever "Pitch room" event. This opportunity allows producers to promote their farm and Food Service Directors to express their interest in the Farm to School program. It will provide valuable networking and it will enable you to connect with all Food Service Directors from across the state.  For more information contact Tina Garland (tina.garland@ky.gov or 502-382-7505)

December 6th 10am - 11:30 am
Holiday Inn University Plaza
1021 Wilkinson Trace
Bowling Green, KY

.  Please R.S.V.P

Wholesale Success: Market Training for Produce Farmers

Dec 3 & 4: Warren County Extension Office
     3132 Nashville Rd 
     Bowling Green, KY

Dec 4 & 5: Franklin County Extension Office
     101 Lakeshore Ct. 
     Frankfort, KY 
 
This workshop is designed for fruit and vegetable farmers who want to know more about growing for wholesale customers including food safety training, wholesale standards, financial resources, financial training, sustainable production and extended season production.

The cost of the workshop is $20, which includes two meals and a 255-page workbook. For more information and registration, call or email Courtney at 502.708.1881 or thefarmer@grasshoppersdistribution.com

FIRST DAY

9 a.m. to noon: Wholesale Success: A Guide to Growing Produce that Sells
Farmer, author and farmer-trainer Atina Diffley will conduct this training that includes information on harvest considerations, post-harvest handling, grading and packing and other operations that make your product an easy sell in the wholesale market.

Noon to 12:45 p.m. Locavore Lunch:
Local foods are more available than ever. Ask for them next time you have a catered event and support Kentucky’s agriculture economy.

12:45 to to2:45 p.m.: More Wholesale Success:
National consultant Atina Diffley will discuss storage, transportation, marketing, GAP record keeping and pack shed design

2:45 Break

3 pm: Meet the buyers
Several wholesale produce buyers will discuss what they buy. Feel free to stay after the presentation to ask questions of the buyers.

SECOND DAY

8 to 8:30 am: Registration and continental breakfast

8:30 to 9:45 am: Bookkeeping and cost analysis
Can you make money growing produce? Grasshopper’s President Ellen McGeeney helps you through real-life scenarios, in partnership with University of Kentucky agriculture economist Tim Woods.

9:45 to 11: The Challenge of High Tunnels
High tunnels offer a way to extend seasons and make more money. But they require a different set of farming skills. Learn what to expect from Michael Bomford, KSU Organic and Sustainable Agriculture extension specialist (Bowling Green) or Tim Coolong, University of Kentucky extension Vegetable Crop specialist (Frankfort).

Break: 11 to 11:15

11:15 to 12:15 am: What’s bugging you?
University of Kentucky entomologist Ric Bessin talks about pest management for small and medium-size produce farms.

12:15 to 12:45: Locavore Lunch
Local foods are more available than ever. Ask for them next time you have a catered event to support Kentucky’s agriculture economy.

12:45 to 1:45 pm: Disease identification and management
University of Kentucky plant pathologist Kenny Seebold updates attendees on disease prevention and treatments for small and medium-size farms.

1:45 to 2:45 pm: Show Me the Money
Find out about grant money and low interest loans that can give you some flexibility on the farm and help grow your business. Mac Stone, Kentucky State University (Frankfort); Michael Bomford (Bowling Green); Caroline Heine, Seed Capital Kentucky; NRCS representatives, and more.

Understanding Whole-Farm Insurance for Specialized, Diversified, and Organic Farms

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will be offering a webinar on Thursday, November 29 to explain a unique type of crop insurance for small, diverse, organic/specialty crop, direct-market farmers. Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite (AGR-Lite) is based on whole farm revenue, which means that it allows diversified farmers to insure production based on historic farm revenue. This event will be especially helpful for farmers who grow diverse specialty crops, organic crops, or mixed crop or livestock operations and for educators or professionals who work with this type of farmer. Agricultural Economist Jeff Schahczenski with NCAT will be presenting the AGR-Lite webinar at 1:00 PM on Thursday, November, 29.

Webinar: "Understanding Whole-Farm Insurance 
for Specialized, Diversified, and Organic Farms"
 November 29, 2012
 1 p.m. EDT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!!! 

Financing and Planning Your Farm and Enterprises

The National Sustainable Agricultural Information Service (NSAIS) presents Financing and Planning Your Farm and Enterprises, a guide to planning your farm business. Learn about financing options, setting objectives, creating a business plan, considering different farm enterprises, and more. ATTRA has made a plethora of information available for planning your farm business! Click the link below to learn more!

Financing and Planning Your Farm and Enterprises

Eat Local, Grow Local

Madison County Extension Office will be hosting an informative fruit tree event Tuesday, November 13. The discussion will be focused on growing small fruits and various berries (blue, black, strawberries, etc.). You can come to learn about growing small fruits and berries or share your experiences.

Tuesday, November 13
7 pm - 8 pm

 

Madison County Extension Center

230 Duncannon Lane

Richmond, KY  

(859) 623-4072

Bourbon & Beans Buzz at Good Foods

The Marketing Director for Good Foods Market & Cafe, Danielle Dove, will give a presentation about the cooperative business model. This is part of a monthly event called the Breakfast Buzz Sessions, which is an informal event that features different small business related topics each month. This is a free event that will take place in the Rochdale Room at Good Foods Market & Cafe. You can learn about what cooperatives are, challenges faced by them, marketing tools available, and how cooperative models differ. Click the link below for more details!

Bourbon & Beans Buzz at Goof Foods Cafe

Tuesday, November, 13
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Good Foods Market & Café 455D Southland Drive Lexington, KY 40503
(map)

New Farmer's Guide: Cultivating Success at Farmers Markets

The Davis Farmers Market Presents: New Farmer's Guide: Cultivating Success at Farmers Markets. This publication is a how-to guide filled with information about being successful in farmers' markets, and it is authored by a 30 year veteran farmers market manager and a 30 year marketing  professional. Learn about how to estimate your costs, build relationships with market managers, and how to market your products at the farmers' market. Follow the link below to view the guide and get started!

New Farmer's Guide: Cultivating Success at Farmers Markets