This project targeted small-scale producers in the California foothills. UC Cooperative Extension Placer/Nevada delivered two marketing workshops, a semester-long Direct Marketing course, four intensive short courses, five business workshops, three field trips, 9 networking events, and a mentoring program. These activities provided foothill producers with tools and knowledge to improve marketing and financial risk management, including:
- Market planning and strategies
- Business and strategic planning
- Economic analysis of production costs and benchmarking
- Financial analysis and recordkeeping
- Farm tax guidelines
- Personal and farm insurance
The Foothill Farming website supported training activities with a variety of information .
428 producers reduced risks by achieving one or more of these results:
- Improved profitability through planning, market analysis, improved market strategies, and technology use
- Reduced financial risk through enterprise analysis, operations and risk management planning, cash-flow and capital purchase budgeting.
- Making informed decisions regarding new operations/enterprises and associated marketing and financial risks.