Two-Day Farm Business Development Intensive
A Workshop for Farmers
This workshop is for experienced farmers who want to start or expand their wholesale markets.
Drawing on a panel of business and farming experts from around the state, as well as other growers who are willing to share their experiences, we'll approach the issue of wholesaling from many different angles.
During The Business of Farming for Wholesale, you'll have a chance to:
- Learn how to use last year's actual records to find your most (and least) profitable crops.
- Meet some of the prominent wholesale buyers in the state.
- Meet potential lenders
- Make contact with potential distribution networks
- Learn how and when to compile and read your farm's financial reports
Keynote Speaker
Chris Blanchard, owner of the Purple Pitchfork farm consulting service and nationally renowned speaker on farm business planning, will teach a portion of the workshop on Saturday, and deliver the keynote speech.
Fees
This workshop is offered free to farmers who participated in the Harvesting Maine's New Wholesale Opportunities workshops last winter. Lodging and meals at the Black Bear Inn are included.
Other farms may register with a $35 workshop fee if they have at least three years' experience and expect at least $20,000 in gross sales in 2015.
How to Register
All farms must register online. Paper (hardcopy) applications can be obtained by contacting Jed Beach at 207-370-9238.
Registration will remain open until we have reached our maximum capacity. We are expecting this workshop to fill quickly, so please be sure to register early!
Questions?
Please contact Jed Beach at beach.jed@gmail.com.
The Business of Farming for Wholesale is sponsored by Maine Farmland Trust through a grant from the John Merck Foundation, and is offered in collaboration with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Cooperative Extension, Farm to Institution New England, the Conservation Law Fund, Cultivating Community, and CEI.