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.