Farms Working Together: Collaborative Marketing for Profitability
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Ravenwood Golf Club Conference Center
Lynaugh Road, Victor, NY 14564
 
Canandaigua, NY – Sometimes a farm just cannot reach profitable markets on its own. The farm owner might need to link with other similar farms to access bigger buyers, or a wide range of customers.
 
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 for networking.
 
Registration: $35.00 per person, space is limited.
 
Please register by March 15, 2012 online: http://farmsworkingtogether.eventbrite.com
 
Details at  http://www.cceontario.org
 
Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension with support from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority.