Are you interested in starting a farm or expanding your current farming enterprise by exploring new avenues for your agricultural business? Join us for an engaging and informative workshop exploring the benefits and challenges of pick-your-own and agritourism ventures.
This introductory workshop will guide you through the essentials of launching and managing a successful pick-your-own and agritourism operation. Here’s what you can expect:
Understanding the Pick-Your-Own Model: Learn how this model for harvesting and selling fresh produce, cut flowers, and prepared, preserved, or fresh foods can be a successful alternative to traditional farmers markets and roadside stands.
Liability and Safety: Understand the key aspects of agritourism liability and how to protect both yourself and your customers.
Site/Soil Selection and Resource Evaluation: Gain insights into choosing the right location, evaluating soil for different crops, and managing resources like irrigation and drainage to ensure a thriving farm.
Crop Selection and Farm Layout: Discover suitable crops for this model and explore farm layout considerations, equipment needs, and irrigation design.
Food Safety and Cottage Food Laws: Get up-to-date information on how these regulations impact your farming and selling practices.
Highlight of the Workshop - Grower Experience Roundtable
Engage with four experienced pick-your-own farmers with a combined 100+ years of expertise. This session will feature a Q&A segment, offering you the opportunity to get your toughest questions answered and to gain insights from industry veterans.
Farm Tour: In the afternoon, we will visit a nearby pick-your-own farm for a walk-and-talk tour. This visit will provide you with practical examples of farm layout, equipment, irrigation, crop selection, and marketing practices.
This event seeks to arm you with the information, resources, and contacts needed to start or diversify your farming enterprise.
A catered lunch will be served. Coffee, water, and light refreshments will be available throughout the day.
Live plants (fruiting and/or ornamental) will be given away as door prizes!
Cancellations received no later than Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, will be issued a refund minus a $15 administrative fee. If a cancellation or refund becomes necessary, please submit a Cancellation or Refund Request.
Refunds typically take 7 – 10 business days to process.
Note: The event organizer reserves the right to cancel the event if the minimum number of attendees is not reached. A full refund will be given if the event is canceled by the organizer for this reason.