Farm Marketing Seminar Series Planned For Producers

A three-part seminar series collectively titled “Selling to Today’s Consumer” will be offered over the next three months as part of a cooperative effort between the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the Connecticut Farm Bureau, the Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, and the USDA-Risk Management Agency. The seminars are open to all agricultural producers interested in selling retail and looking to enhance their market share, dealing with technical and regulatory questions and upgrading their retail savvy. Existing or beginning producers will profit from the sessions.

The three seminars are:

What is Your Edge in Selling to Today’s Consumer — Bruce Baker will be the keynote speaker taking participants on a journey of marketing dos and don’ts followed by three breakout sessions in Ethnic Marketing, E-Commerce and the Internet, and Case Studies in Direct Marketing. Friday, February 10.

Meeting the Regulatory Challenge of Selling Direct to Consumers — Meet with representatives from the Department of Revenue Services, the Department of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Agriculture as they discuss departmental issues in retail sales and then take questions and answers on any regulatory issues that the farm producer may have. Friday, March 10.

Marketing to Deep Pockets — Bruce Baker will return in a follow-up to share his expertise on how to market effectively. Joining him will be three successful farm businesses; Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, Maple Lane Farm, Preston, and Roses Orchard, South Glastonbury. Topics will include selling to corporations, fund raising through schools and agritourism, nonconventional marketing, changing directions in retail sales, and selling to those who have the cash. Thursday, April 20.

All seminars will take place at the Courtyard Marriott in Cromwell. The cost for each seminar is $50 and will include lunch. There is a three-seminar a discount price of $125. Visa and MasterCard will be accepted by calling Gini at 860-298-4400. Make a check payable to CFBA, mail to CFBA, 775 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor CT 06095-2322.