Ag direct marketing workshop March 1

A daylong workshop aimed at developing agricultural direct marketing strategies for successful businesses and communities is scheduled March 1, 2002 at the Buehler Alumni Center at UC Davis.

“The workshop will bring together professionals who work with farmers, ranchers and local communities to increase direct marketing channels,” said David Chaney, SAREP education coordinator.

The workshop is sponsored by SAREP, the UC Small Farm Program, Community Food Security Coalition, California Federation of Certified Farmers Markets and Davis Farmers Market Association, with funding from the Western Region USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. Participants will include Cooperative Extension advisors, USDA personnel, farmers and ranchers, and representatives from state agricultural agencies and other agricultural and community development organizations. Chaney said information at the workshop is designed to help professionals promote and increase consumer demand for direct marketed products in their local regions, and to build community support for long-term success in direct marketing.

Keynote speakers include Gus Schumacher, former Under Secretary for Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at USDA, and Sibella Kraus, a leader in supporting regional food systems now working with the Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAGE).

The conference fee is $60. A full program brochure will be mailed in January 2002. For more information contact Chaney at dechaney@ucdavis.edu or Gail Feenstra at gwfeenstra@ucdavis.edu, or call the SAREP office at (530) 752-7556 to receive a brochure.