Farms Working Together: Collaborative Marketing for Profitability

Event Details

Date:

March 20, 2012

Location:

Ravenwood Golf Club Conference Center Lynaugh Road, Victor, NY 14564

Time:

8:30 AM- 3:30 PM

Cornell Cooperative Extension is hosting a one-day seminar devoted to the modern ways family farms can increase their marketing power through collaboration, including food hubs, on-line farm markets, joint ventures, and multi-farm marketing groups.

Richard Wiswall of Cate Farm in Plainfield, VT will explain the farm business implications of collaboration, when one farm is just part of a larger marketing entity. Taken from 25 years as a member of the Deep Root Organic Co-Op, he will describe positive scenarios and pitfalls to avoid going forward. Wiswall is the author of “The Organic Farmers Business Handbook,” a popular guide for any farmer aiming to build wealth through good habits and savvy decisions.

Other speakers include:
Carol Maue of Boylan Code LLP, discussing legal aspects of collaborative agreements for farms

Kim Mills of SUNY Cobleskill, explaining new software to support online sales of local food in consumer, commercial, and institutional markets
Jack Montague of FoodLink, unveiling a new food hub for the Rochester metro region

This is a good opportunity for farm owners in Upstate New York who have considered joint marketing, or are striving to supply new or existing markets with more products.

The day will include additional presentations, expert interviews, and opportunities food networking.

Registration: $35.00 per person, space is limited.

Please register by March 15, 2012: Call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County 585-394-3977 x 427 or send name, address and phone number to nea8@cornell.edu

Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County with support from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority.