Posts Tagged: marketing

*Ag in Uncertain Times* adds Spanish programming

A webinar series produced by an organization of agricultural economists at Western land-grant universities is adding Spanish programming this month, according to a news release distributed today by Washington State University. Webinars are seminars on the Web.

The webinar series in English, called "Ag in Uncertain Times," began broadcasting in June 2009. Past programs programs have included "Operating in risky environments" and "Operating in the face of uncertain markets." All programs are recorded and available on the Western Extension Committee Web site.

The first Spanish webinar, set for Wednesday, March 10, will address management of finances and credit in an agricultural setting. On March 17, participants will hear about business planning and market strategies and on March 24, strategies, tools and resources for selecting and diversifying crops. All sessions begin at 4 p.m. Pacific and can be accessed at http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/aginuncertaintimes/

The Spanish sessions will be presented by a bilingual team led by Ramiro Lobo, small farm program advisor for UC Cooperative Extension in San Diego County. Links to the recorded webinars will be posted on the Ag in Uncertain Times en español Web site after they are presented live.

Ag in Uncertain Times en español Web site.

Winemaking venture initiated by former UCCE advisor

Former Fresno County UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Lowell Zelinski, and his wife are launching a new luxury winemaking course in Paso Robles to operate in conjunction with their agricultural management business, according to a story in the Santa Maria Times.

The Zelinskis began working with Central Coast vineyards in 2003; a few years later they began making wine from vines they were managing, a process documented by Becky Zelinski, an aspiring photographer.

Their friends were envious, the newspaper reported. "The Zelinskis then wondered if their friends’ interest could translate into a do-it-yourself winemaking business," wrote reporter Laurie Jervis.

In 2008, 14 friends and friends of friends spent a weekend in a cabernet sauvignon vineyard, picking and de-stemming the grapes by hand.

In 2009, the couple offered three weekend sessions on three different varietals. The weekends included meals prepared by a local chef to complement the varietal under study.

“These are the vineyards that we have relationships with all year," Mrs. Zelinski was quoted in the paper. "Many of the people (involved in those vineyards) are excited about our concept and want to help."

vineyard

UCCE helps establish Web-direct ag product sales

The Humboldt County UC Cooperative Extension office has a new service for consumers and growers in the rural enclave. A Web site at redwoodag.com was designed to help local farmers find local markets for their products, according to a story posted today in Capital Press.

Written by Sacramento freelance writer Wes Sander, the story details the efforts of UCCE farm advisor Deborah Giraud, who received grants from the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program to explore options for farm-to-institution marketing and to develop the Web site.

"This first season will be a tough one, until it evolves and catches on more," Giraud was quoted. "We will be working with (producers) to get their photos up, that kind of thing."

The story noted that the region's isolation, limited roads and high fuel prices give the northwest corner of the state a particular need to develop local markets for small scale farmers' products.

 

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