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Ingham County MSU Extension Presents:"Marketing Your Produce" April 2 4 , 2008 , 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Hilliard Bldg., 121 E. Maple Street, Mason Conference Room A Cost: $10 Demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables is greater than the number of growers in the area. Eat local movements, concerns for food safety, distance food travels from farm to market, economic development and food quality are all driving consumers to seek locally produced food. This program is designed to help large, small and prospective growers to identify and take advantage of area marketing options. 9:15 Farmers Markets Speaker: Susan Smalley, CARRS Director Overview of area market including, histories, need for growers and crops, rules and policies, hours of operation, market set-up, traffic information, etc. 10:15 Is U-pick still an option? Speaker Mark Longstroth,, MSUE Educator Review of area u-pick growers and crops, trends, and details such as liability insurance, harvesting and storage, labor, and advertising. 11:15 Selling to Chain Stores and Local Independent Growers: Speaker: Matthew Birbeck, MSU Product Development Center What hoops do you have to jump through in order to sell to Meijer, Spartan stores or the local small groceries. Issues such as quality, volume, packaging, pricing and payment will be discussed. LUNCH 1:00 Learn More About...Roadside Stands- Speaker: Ron Goldy, MSUE Educator Before setting up a roadside stand, there are a few things that need to be considered such as local ordinances, traffic flowing, parking, hazards, signs, displays, etc. 2:00 Advanced Order Sales Speaker: Gary Heilig, MSUE Educator The Florida citrus model. Keeping customers informed, internet based ordering, quality and shipping issues. 2:30 Developing and Marketing Value Added Products Speaker George Silva, MSUE Educator From simply produce to a product of increased value. Assistance from MSU and marketing options Phone: 517-676-7207 Fax: 517-676-7288 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Ingham County MSU EXTENSION 121 E. Maple Street P O Box 319 Mason, MI 48854 If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html