Oct. 21, 2009

For more information: Tiffany Obrecht, 317-692-7823

Kathleen Dutro, 317-692-7824, kdutro@infarmbureau.org 

Seminar to offer ‘food for thought’ on local foods, agri-tourism

            A new seminar for anybody interested in marketing ag products – everybody from backyard gardeners to farmers – will be held Nov. 19 at the Fort Wayne Marriott.

            Sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau, the Indiana Cooperative Development Center and Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, the workshop is called New Food for Thought, and its theme is “Get Local, Get Thinking, Get Started, Get Better.”

            Registration and other conference information is available at the event’s website, www.newfoodforthought.com. The cost for the event is $35 for Indiana Farm Bureau members and $70 for non-members.

The seminar is being held just before Indiana Farm Bureau’s state convention, which will be held at the Grand Wayne Convention Center Nov. 19-21.

The registration fee covers the cost of all materials, and it also includes a local foods luncheon.

Attendees can choose from four separate tracks:

• “Get Local,” where participants can learn gardening basics, learn how to find locally grown foods, learn from a chef how to cook with local foods, and learn about inexpensive, educational and entertaining local getaway vacations.
• “Get Thinking,” where participants can learn about agri-tourism directly from people who are already active in this area, how to increase profitability and how to market your product.
• “Get Started,” which includes sessions on creating a business plan, basic marketing strategies and ag law.
• “Get Better,” a session for those who have already established a business but want to find ways to increase their profits, reach a greater audience, and network with other farms in the their area.

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