COLUMBIA, Mo. – Small-scale food and farm entrepreneurs face unique challenges with business planning and marketing. To help meet these needs, University of Missouri Extension is launching “Growing Success: Marketing and Business Development for Small Farms.” Running throughout March, this evening webinar series is designed to equip attendees with practical skills and resources for success.

“We meet many producers who have innovative ideas and undeniable passion,” said Mallory Rahe, MU Extension associate professor and webinar series organizer. “The challenge often lies in putting strategy behind those ideas to make them feasible long-term.”

The series begins March 4 with “Cultivating Connections: Strategically Market Your Food and Farm Products.” Attendees will learn how to communicate their unique value with an elevator pitch, craft target customer profiles and use digital avenues when building a marketing strategy.

“Marketing is a common pain point for many entrepreneurs who are already wearing many hats in their business,” said TaylorAnn Washburn, MU Extension communications strategist and “Cultivating Connections” webinar host. “Our goal is to make marketing more approachable and highlight how a bit of strategic work in the forefront can increase overall efficiency and impact.”

The series continues March 11 with “Will It Work? Assessing New Farm Products,” a two-hour interactive session focused on evaluating new product ideas. MU Extension agricultural business specialist Katie Neuner will show participants how to use online tools like AgSite and Intel for Ag for informed decision-making.

“This session is perfect for beginners and those ready to add a new farm enterprise, like elderberries or pasture-raised pork,” Neuner said. “We hope that attendees leave with knowledge and confidence to assess the potential success of their product idea.”

Following the marketing-focused session is “What Does It Cost My Farm To Sell in Different Markets?” On March 18, Rahe will walk participants through the Market Channel Cost Assessment Tool to understand how to estimate marketing costs and inform product pricing decisions as they sell at farmers markets, CSAs or wholesale.

The series wraps up March 25 with “Five Key Considerations as You Scale Your Business.” Participants will walk through an interactive checklist to assess readiness for growth, by first setting a tangible business goal and then discussing financial capacity, labor needs, operational efficiencies and other critical factors. MU Extension agricultural business specialist Denice Ferguson will guide participants through this comprehensive planning exercise.

The “Growing Success” series will also highlight resources available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), a key partner in supporting producers of all scales and scope.

“FSA offers a wealth of programs and resources to help farm and food entrepreneurs as they start or expand their businesses,” said Rahe. “We want attendees to be aware of how FSA can support their journey.”

Find more information and register for the series at http://muext.us/growingsuccesswebinars.

This webinar series is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency through project award number FSA23CPT0012862.