Posts Tagged: business and marketing

Small Farm News

The first Small Farm News of 2012 is ready for viewing! As always this newsletter is full of relevant and practical information to assist small-scale farmers and ranchers.

Topics in this issue are:

• Workshops to prepare growers for food safety
• Building statewide support for California agritourism
• Selling wholesale at a farmers market
• Tips for growing, selling organic
• CSA operators offer tips
• How to identify ‘snake-oil’ products
• Pedro Ilic Award honors Paul Vossen

The newsletter can be found on this page of the UC Small Farm Program website.

New edition of Small Farm News

The first Small Farm News of 2012 is ready for viewing! As always this newsletter is full of relevant and practical information to assist small-scale farmers and ranchers.

Topics in this issue are:

• Workshops to prepare growers for food safety
• Building statewide support for California agritourism
• Selling wholesale at a farmers market
• Tips for growing, selling organic
• CSA operators offer tips
• How to identify ‘snake-oil’ products
• Pedro Ilic Award honors Paul Vossen

The newsletter can be found on this page of the UC Small Farm Program website.

Start2Farm.gov

Funded through the USDA and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Start2Farm and the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program were created in partnership with the National Agricultural Library and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Both programs were developed to assist people those new to farming or ranching, and those who have less than 10 years of experience.

General topics of resources and programs include:

• Learn How – Develop the know-how to run your farm or ranch business
• Find Financing – Find funding opportunities to help finance your farm or ranch business
• Locate Services – Find assistance with legal and technical requirements of farming
• Get Connected – Build relationships and connect with others

While the website is a little challenging to navigate, the resources are fabulous.

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Learning Center

Dedicated to advancing innovation in sustainable agriculture, SARE has many resources and learning opportunities available. At their Learning Center website you will find links to handbooks, bulletins, online courses, fact sheets, videos, newsletters, and more. Hardcopy resources can be ordered through the SARE WebStore. All online resources are available at no cost.

Topics include:

• Animal Production
• Community Development
• Crop Production
• Economic/Marketing
• Education & Training
• Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy
• For consumers
• Integrated Systems
• Natural Resources/Environment
• Pest Management
• Quality of Life
• Soil Management
• Specialty Crops
• Value Added Products
  

  SARE has a wide assortment of free online resources designed to educate food producers and consumers.

 

2012 Postharvest Technology Workshops & Short Courses

UC Postharvest Technology Center mission is “To reduce postharvest losses and improve the quality, safety and marketability of fresh horticultural products”.  They are dedicated to providing relevant information to California growers, shippers, marketers, carriers, distributors, retailers, processors, and consumers of fresh horticultural crops.

At their site you will find much information and resources available online. In addition to their online resources, the center will be holding the following workshops in 2012.

• Annual Fruit Ripening & Retail Management Workshop will be held March 27-28

• UC Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Practical Skill-Building for On-Farm Assessments Workshops will be held twice in 2012. The first workshop will be held April 2-3, and the second November 5-6. 

•  Postharvest Technology Short Course will be held June 18-29. 

• Fresh-Cut Products: Maintaining Quality and Safety Workshop will be held September 18-20. 

• Emerging Postharvest Technologies for California Produce Professionals Short Course is tentatively scheduled for Winter 2012. More information will be available soon.
  

  Study of postharvest handling, storage, and shipping helps to keep our food safe. Photo by David Rosen.

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