Workshops to Help Use Advertising to Your Farm’s Advantage

Marketing is one of the biggest challenges farmers direct marketing products to consumers often face. Advertising, in particular, can be confusing, frustrating, time consuming and expensive. If done well, advertising can boost sales. If not done well, it can be a waste of resources.

Workshops are being offered to help farmers producing specialty crops make the most of advertising opportunities for their farms. Amy Ladd, experienced entrepreneur and owner of Lucky Ladd Farms, and Megan Bruch, marketing specialist with the Center for Profitable Agriculture, will be offering sessions on:

• how to buy and design advertising that works to your farm’s advantage (traditional media such as print, radio and billboards will be discussed as well as newer online options)
• creating signage that sells
• working the wonders of word of mouth advertising

Erica Alexander from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture will also share an update and tips for submitting a strong application for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Producer Diversification Cost-Share.

*These workshops qualify as one course toward the educational requirements to receive 50% TAEP cost share for ONLY: Agritourism, Fruits and Vegetables, and Value-Added diversification sectors.

Workshops will be held:

• ·         March 4 in Spring Hill
• ·         March 6 in Milan
• ·         March 11 in White Pine
• ·         March 12 in Athens
• ·         March 13 in Cookeville.

Pre-registration is required five business days prior to the event. There is a registration fee of $15 per person. Workshops not having an adequate number of registrations by the early registration deadline may be cancelled. Workshops will begin at 8:30 am and end at 3:45 pm local time. Lunch will be provided.