BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT ORGANIZER;CN=Bonnie Nielsen:MAILTO:banielsen@ucanr.edu DTSTART:20171204T083000 DTEND:20171204T163000 SUMMARY:3-Event Series for North Bay Farmers Exploring New Local Sales Opportunities LOCATION:Petaluma Fairgrounds Park & Ride DESCRIPTION:
Are you a beginning or small to mid-scale farmer in the North Bay? This three-event series will introduce you to produce buyers around the region and offer strategies to successfully build new sales relationships with local grocers, food hubs, food processors and more! Whether you take part in one event or all three, get a head start on next season by establishing new relationships directly with buyers who care about sourcing locally and prepare for next season's plantings based on local market needs.
Event #1: TOUR to Meet Buyers on Monday, December 4, 2017 ~ 8:30am-4:30pm.
Tour bus departs from Petaluma Fairgrounds Park & Ride, 100 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma, CA 94952.
Hop on a bus to tour North Bay wholesale produce buyers to see their facilities and hear about their ordering and packing procedures. Stops on the tour include Marin Sonoma Produce, Preserve Farm Kitchens, and Sonoma Organics. Lunch provided. $10 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds.
Event #2: WORKSHOP on Expanding Market Channels on Thursday, January 18, 2018 ~ 2:00-6:00pm. Petaluma Community Center 320 N. McDowell Blvd Petaluma, CA.
Learn from experienced small- and mid-scale farmers and wholesale buyers on how to successfully market and sell what you grow. Get useful tips on how to meet buyer requirements. Hear the inside scoop from diverse buyers with an excellent track record of buying from local farmers and gain inspiration from successful examples of coordination between farmers and buyers in the region. Light snack and refreshments provided. $5 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds.
Event #3: Farmer-Buyer MIXER on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 ~ 3:00-6:00pm.
Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472.
At this "speed dating" mixer, farmers and buyers will have the opportunity to meet a variety of potential partners, learn about each other's businesses, and form new business connections at an informal and fun event hosted in conjunction with CAFF and the Farmers Guild. Food and drinks provided. Mixer from 3:00-5:00 PM and networking happy hour from 5:00-6:00 PM.
Contact Julia Van Soelen Kim with questions, at jvansoelen@ucanr.edu or (415) 473-2708.
**This series is organized by UC SAREP, UC Cooperative Extension, and Community Alliance for Family Farms/The Farmers Guild,
and with generous support from CoBank and the Farm Credit Alliance**