Project Overview
We addressed financial, production, legal and marketing risks specifically identified by previous project participants to assist beginning and small farmers increase farm viability. Connecticut counties are Metropolitan Statistical Areas or Micropolitan Statistical Areas, pressuring farmers to better manage risk to offset what they can´t control: high urban land values/taxes, and town regulations.
Four Financial Planning workshops were held in four state regions, with 67 participants learning to improve their financial plans. A one day From Farm to Kitchen to Market Conference addressed the issues of Commercial Kitchens: Regulations, Costs and Food Safety with 100 participants. The conference enabled participants to assess if they could add a commercial kitchen to their business, and connected them to both public and private resources. A comprehensive guide to Commercial kitchens in Connecticut was posted online. A mini-conference plus three diverse on-farm tours addressed Marketing Strategies for Small Farms in a Urban Economy with 40 producers strengthening their marketing strategies. Since a resource guide of town and state regulations relating to agriculture and value-added businesses was developed by a collaborator, and is available on-line, a marketing workbook with additional worksheets has been drafted and is being reviewed to complement the marketing focus of the project.
Number of Participants: 255
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.