PULLMAN, Wash. — A one-day workshop for farmers interested in direct marketing is scheduled Thursday, May 25, in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.
“We think this workshop will interest farmers who are doing direct marketing now, those trying to create an identity for their farm or business, those working to identify or expand their customer base or people who are providing marketing assistance to farmers,” said Colette DePhelps of Rural Roots: the Inland Northwest Community Food Systems Association.
Theresa Steig, a Seattle-based consultant working in the areas of marketing, sustainable agriculture and community development, will discuss brands, labels and tag lines and how they can be used. She will present a variety of marketing models, review the interests of various consumer groups and describe businesses that are successfully using brands and labels in the marketplace.
Carole Stevens of The Food Alliance, Portland, Ore., will talk about her organization’s approved sustainable farming certification and marketing program.
Jonda Crosby of the Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Helena, Mont., will discuss her organization’s Montana Grown Food Directory. Participant discussion of identity preserved marketing and the potential for regional marketing partnerships will follow.
The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Idaho Extension Office, 106 E. Dalton Ave.
For people registering before May 20, the cost is $12 for members of Rural Roots and $15 for nonmembers. The registration fees increase by $3 after May 19. Registration includes a catered lunch featuring local foods.
To register send checks payable to “Rural Roots” to Rural Roots, 615 Adams, #1, Moscow, ID 83843. Contact Colette DePhelps at (208) 883-3462 for more information.
The workshop is sponsored by Rural Roots, the Northeast Washington and Northern Idaho Cooperative Extension Small Farm Team, the University of Idaho Sustainable Agriculture Program, the Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources and the USDA Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
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