Agricultural producers can take a one-day workshop to learn how to market their products to a wider audience using the Kentucky Proud program.
“Creating pathways to help Kentucky producers develop a plan for a larger share of the market benefits the producer and our state because agriculture is economic development,” Ag Commissioner Johnathan Shell said in a press release about the workshop.
It will be offer from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, March 31, at the Fayette County Extension Office, 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington.
The cost to attend is $15. Registration is available online.
The workshop “will provide an overview of marketing trends and funding opportunities, peer-to-peer panels, discussions, product reviews, and advice from a variety of local retailers as well as hands-on workshops for marketing planning,” the release states. “The workshop was developed with the emerging producer in mind, including those who have success in direct sales and are considering a move into retail sales or wholesale opportunities.”
Attendees may submit up to three products “to be reviewed anonymously by mass retailers, specialty retailers, and farm retail markets for coaching and feedback on the overall marketability and attractiveness of the items.”
Kentucky Proud showcases goods ranging from produce, meat and dairy to baked goods, beverages such as bourbon, craft beer and soft drinks, and speciality items like beer cheese, cooking spices and alpaca wool.
