Piedmont Grown Annual Conference…
March 10, 2016 Hunt Library , NCSU, Raleigh
Increasing Farm Profitability through Efficiency, Diversified Markets, and Unique Branding
There are nine breakout sessions to choose from!
- We have a dynamic group of speakers to help you make your farm more efficient, profitable, and secure.
- You will hear from a diverse group of buyers, crop insurance specialists, marketing professionals, and farmers sharing their success stories.
Keynote speaker Ben Hartman, author of "The Lean Farm"will speak on"Using the Lean System to Earn a Comfortable Living on a Small Farm". Benefit from his many years of experience on his farm minimizing waste, increasing efficiency, and maximizing value and profits- with less work!
Lean principleswere originally developed by the Japanese automotive industry, Hartman has applied them to farming.
AGENDA
8:00 Registration & Coffee;Vendor Fair Open
9:00 Welcome &Keynote:"Using the Lean System to Earn a Comfortable Living on a Small Farm" Ben Hartman, Clay Bottom Farm.
10:00-10:30 Visit Exhibitor Area, Book Signing
10:30 -11:45 Session 1 (3 Options)
Protecting What you Grow and What you Owe - Insuring the Farm. Whole Farm Insurance,The Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)James Robinson, RAFI USA;Martha Calderon; Esmeralda Sandoval; Clif Parker
The Lean Farm: Production Tips for Market Growers.Ben Hartman, Clay Bottom Farm.
Unique Supply Chain Partners 1. Intermediary buyers can be part of your larger marketing and distribution plan. How can you work with these organizations for more profits?Jennifer Curtis, First Hand Foods, Gini Bell Farmer FoodShare
11:45-1:00 Lunch."Tapping into a New Market Niche: Spirits and NC Agriculture," Sebastian Wolfrum, Epiphany Malt Brewing
North Carolina is the leading craft beer state on the east coast with over 150 operating breweries and more in planning. This presentation will explore brewing with local ingredients, as well as why and how it is done. What are the opportunities for market farmers to supply ingredients to local breweries, distilleries, and cideries?
1:15- 2:30 Session 2 (3 Options)
UniqueSupply Chain Partners 2 Where Does Your Farm Fit In?Food hubs, restaurants, aggregators- all of these partners can be a part of your marketing and distribution plan. Find out how these buyers work in our region.Deborah Brown, Standard Foods, Chris Rumbley, Raleigh City Farm, Tony Gaddis, Terra Stay, and Patrick Mateer, Seal the Seasons
How Can Large Buyers Work With More Piedmont Grown Farmers? Come find out!Krista Morgan, Lowes Foods, Lauren Horning, Foster Caviness,Chris Woodring, Freshpoint
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS), Lessons Learned from the Field. Tricia Tripp, North Carolina Growing Together; Jeff Bender, Bender Farms.
2:30 - 3:00Break
3:00- 4:15 Session 3 (3 Options)
Agritourism; Growing your Brand With Farm Visits. Insurance, Marketing, and Visit Options. Traci Nachtrab, Lucky 3 Farm; Ginger Sykes, Turtle Mist Farm; Annie Baggett, NCDA.
Transitioning from Retail to Wholesale: Scaling Up Volume, Scaling Back Customer Contact. Austin Genke, BoxCarr Cheese; Additional speakers TBA
Packaging and Labeling for Consumer Impact and Compliance. What should you consider when you are developing your branding? Dr. Katherine Boys, NCSU; Sarah Blacklyn, NC Choices, TBA NCDA/CS Food and Drug Protection Division
4:30-5:15 Closing Session
Food Safety Modernization Act
Growing your Farm Brand with Piedmont Grown
Depart for Raleigh City Farm TourPub/Food crawl
The Raleigh City Farm's efforts are focused on accelerating new farm entrepreneurs that serve Raleigh by helping them get their products to market at a valued price point.The farm serves dozens of restaurants primarily in Downtown Raleigh and has a CSA they call Farmshares. Our principle farmer at Raleigh City Farm also hosts a Saturday Farmstand during the growing season.
http://raleighcityfarm.com/
Conference Registration fee includes new membership or annual membership renewal for 2016.
Reserve your spot now! Pre-registration is encouraged -- registration by March 1 will guarantee that a tasty local lunch will be included with your fee. Vegetarian options will be available. A limited number of walk-in spots will be available the morning of the conference, but lunch may not be available without prior registration.