National speakers headline marketing conference.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 13, 2008
For more information contact:Ted Sloan
(502) 564-4696

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A futurist, a farmer and a food marketing expert will show Kentucky producers how to “Grow Your Cash Crop in Kentucky” at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s inaugural Direct Marketing Conference Nov. 13-14 in Lexington.

Economist, futurist and author Dr. Jay Lehr of Ostrander, Ohio, will talk about megatrends in agriculture and the future of sustainable agriculture. Innovative farmer Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley will speak on diversifying for profit, product and pleasure. Stephen Farrelly Hall, food marketing consultant and author of “From Kitchen to Market: Selling Your Gourmet Food Specialty,” will present a step-by-step look at the marketing process.

Conference sessions will focus on business management, customer service and marketing. Breakout sessions will be divided into protein, produce and on-farm market. Business basics and methods of attracting customers will be addressed.

Following the conference, participants may choose from among four farm tours. At Evans Orchard in Georgetown, they can see a working agritourism destination. At the Woodford County Extension Service office in Versailles, they can tour the certified kitchen where growers may make value-added food products. At Boone’s Butcher Shop in Bardstown, they can learn how to make money on protein-based products and see the state’s mobile processing unit for small livestock species. At the University of Kentucky research farm in Lexington, they can see organic farming practices and learn about UK’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and sustainable agriculture programs.

Registration is $50. The optional farm tour following the conference is an additional $20. Accommodations for the conference are available at the Hyatt Regency Lexington. Reservations must be made by Oct. 27 to receive the reduced conference rate.

For more information, contact Donna Baker at (502) 564-4983 or go to the conference page on the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Web site, www.kyagr.com/marketing/dmc.