The Virginia Farmers Direct Marketing Association will hold a workshop titled “Simple Steps to Strategic Ag-Marketing” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Virginia Department of Forestry office at 492 George Dean Dr. in Charlottesville.
The event is being offered to help farmers who sell products directly to the public enhance their competitiveness. Topics that will be covered include branding, creating a marketing plan and effectively using social media, blogs, websites and other options.
Participants who meet U.S. Department of Agriculture criteria for designation as specialty crop growers will have their names entered in a drawing for free registration for a subsequent Facebook marketing or email marketing workshop.
Jeanne Willson, owner of Markbeech Marketing and chief marketing officer of Check Your Marketing, will speak at the workshop. Markbeech works with businesses that outsource their marketing, and Check Your Marketing is a coaching program for small businesses. Kirsten Graham, owner of Creative Mortgage, River Title and Escrow and Check Your Marketing, will speak as well.
Registration is $10 for VFDMA members and $65 for nonmembers, and a registration-and-membership package is available for $45. Participants can register at www.eventbrite.com/event/