Business Development

Managing Conflict Part 1

Kristine Ranger, Knowledge Navigator
[Handout: None]

Conflict is inevitable and a normal part of life, however, people respond to stimulators in a variety of different ways. Understanding the sources of conflict, how others respond, how to de-escalate heated situations, and how to manage your own responses can jumpstart or improve your relationships, your team and family communications, your approach to Human Resource Management, and your farm succession planning experience. At the conclusion of this session, participants will have knowledge, skills, tools, and strategies for navigating conversation and managing conflict in their interactions with others.

Managing Conflict Part 2

Kristine Ranger, Knowledge Navigator
[Handout: None]

Continuing from the previous part 1 session. Conflict is inevitable and a normal part of life, however, people respond to stimulators in a variety of different ways. Understanding the sources of conflict, how others respond, how to de-escalate heated situations, and how to manage your own responses can jumpstart or improve your relationships, your team and family communications, your approach to Human Resource Management, and your farm succession planning experience. At the conclusion of this session, participants will have knowledge, skills, tools, and strategies for navigating conversation and managing conflict in their interactions with others.

Home to Market Act-Changes to the Illinois Cottage Food Laws

Mary Liz Wright, University of Illinois Extension
[Handout: None]

Have you considered selling your homemade foods at a farmers market? There are basic guidelines that growers, cooks, and bakers must observe in preparation for farmers market sales. Learn about the latest legislation concerning Illinois Cottage Food law, and how to comply with safety standards to ensure that cottage food products are safe, healthy, and enjoyable for all.

Branding for Market Vendors

Natalie Kenny- Marquez, GROW Marketing + Communications, LLC
Janie Maxwell, Illinois Farmers Market Association
[Handout: Customer survey, Digital Existence Checklist, Brand Audit Goals, Brand Audit Survey, SWOT Analysis, Brand Audit Checklist]

Conducting a brand audit is a great way to find out the strengths and weaknesses of a brand. If you’ve been struggling to consistently and succinctly describe your business or increase your positioning in the marketplace, a brand audit might just be what you need. In this workshop, Natalie Kenny Marquez of Grow Marketing + Communications will take you through a 6-step Brand Audit which includes interactive worksheets that you can use to help get you started on improving your brand awareness.

2022 Census of Agriculture is Coming Your Way

Mark Schleusener, USDA-NASS
[Handout: None]

Mark Schleusener, the Illinois State Statistician for USDA-NASS, will give a preview of the 2022 Census of Agriculture and how it impacts specialty crop growers. The Census of Agriculture is conducted every 5 years and provides county-level statistics on all aspects of US agriculture. It is a complete count, taken every five years, of America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them.

Rules for the Road

Rodney Knittel, Illinois Farm Bureau
[Handout: None]

This seminar provides farmers a great opportunity to ask their transportation questions firsthand for discussion, introduce farmers to new rules, remind them of the current ones that still apply, and help them figure out whether exemptions are available.

Farmers Feeding Illinois

Zach Samaras, Illinois Institute of Sustainable Technology
Steve Ericson, Feeding Illinois
[Handout: None]

Join Feeding Illinois and the University of IL to learn about how about ways farms are supporting the vulnerable populations of Illinois; finding a home for their ‘seconds’; defraying costs; finding tax deductions; and reducing waste. Together food banks and farms are feeding the community. Find out how you can become engaged.

Meet Them Where They Are: Connecting Consumers and Farming

Natasha Nichols, We Sow We Grow
[Handout: None]

When your neighbors are your first customers, how do you ensure they create the buzz you need to become successful? The We Sow We Grow Project’s Executive Director, Natasha Nicholes will share that journey with you and help you curate a community that is involved.

Creating a Pricing Strategy for Your Farm Market

Lyn Falk, Retailworks
Suzanne Rafenstein, Retailworks
[Handout: Creating a Pricing Strategy for Your Farm Market]

Learn how to create product categories, assess type and quantity of inventory needed on the selling floor, and competitive price points and profitable mark-ups.

This session is sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau.