Reap The Rewards:

A Farm Marketing Seminar Series

CROMWELL — 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, Connecticut Farm Bureau, Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, and 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.

“What is Your Edge in Selling to Today’s Consumer” will open the series on Friday, February 10.

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.

The second session, on Friday, March 10, will be “Meeting the Regulatory Challenge of Selling Direct to Consumers.” Attendees will meet with representatives from the Department of Revenue Services, Department of Consumer Protection, and 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.

“Marketing to Deep Pockets” will be the third installment, on Thursday, April 20. Bruce Baker will return in a follow up to share his expertise on how to market effectively. Joining him will be representative from three successful farm businesses: Lyman Orchards of Middlefield, Maple Lane Farm of Preston, and Roses Orchard of South Glastonbury.

Topics will include selling to corporations, fundraising through schools and agritourism, nonconventional marketing, changing directions in retail sales, and selling to those who have the case.

All seminars are taking place at Courtyard Marriott in Cromwell. the cost for each seminar is $50 and will include lunch; cost for all three seminars is $125. Visa and MasterCard will be accepted. Call 860-298-4400 or make checks payable to CFBA and mail them to CFBA, 775 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor CT 06095-2322.

Registration deadline for the February program, or to take advantage of the $125 discount rate, is February 10; deadline for the second program is March 10; and deadline for the final program is April 20.