COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension invites farmers, ranchers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and rural residents to participate in Field to Consumer Farm Tours, a new hands-on workshop series designed to help producers transform ideas into profitable farm enterprises.
Under the theme “Real Farms. Real Strategies. Real Opportunities,” the series will take participants to three working farms where they will see how producers are building profitable operations through diversification, including agritourism, community-supported agriculture, farmers markets, direct marketing and value-added agricultural products, said Denice Ferguson, MU Extension field specialist in agricultural business and policy.
The tours are organized by MU Extension’s Agricultural Business and Policy team.
“Many producers have innovative ideas and tremendous passion for agriculture, but long-term success requires strong business planning, marketing, financial management and risk management skills,” Ferguson said. “These tours allow participants to learn directly from successful farm families while gaining practical strategies they can implement in their own operations.”
Tour stops include:
- Thursday, Aug. 6 – 1840 Cattle Co., Gower. Learn how a family-owned cattle operation built a successful direct-to-consumer enterprise through value-added marketing.
- Thursday, Aug. 20 – Triple H Family Farm, Marshall. Explore how this farm grows and markets fresh vegetables through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and local farmers markets.
- Thursday, Sept. 17 – Anne’s Acres, Lincoln. See how this operation diversified through a successful u-pick strawberry and blueberry enterprise and direct-to-consumer marketing.
Participants will learn strategies for farm business diversification, recordkeeping, risk management, enterprise evaluation, direct-to-consumer sales and informed business decision-making, Ferguson said.
The cost is $10 per workshop, and participation is limited to 20 attendees per session. Preregistration is required. Sign up at https://muext.us/fieldtoconsumer.
Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions and wear closed-toe shoes. Water will be provided.
The Field to Consumer Farm Tours are one component of a broader food and farm business development initiative supported by the Patterson Family Foundation, serving counties in northwestern and west-central Missouri.
Through the initiative, MU Extension provides educational workshops, individual business counseling and business development resources to farm and food businesses.
As part of this effort, eligible food and farm businesses may access the Harvest to Market grant program, which provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for projects such as equipment purchases, marketing, e-commerce, facility improvements and other investments that expand market opportunities and help local food businesses serve local and regional markets more effectively.
For more information, visit https://heartlandfoodbusiness.org/harvest-to-market-grant.
University of Missouri Extension’s Agricultural Business and Policy specialists provide research-based education, consultation and training to help Missouri farmers, ranchers, landowners and agricultural entrepreneurs develop profitable, resilient and sustainable businesses that strengthen rural communities throughout the state.
MU Extension is the link between the University of Missouri’s proven research, knowledge and resources and more than 6 million Missourians. With state and local partners, we deliver real-world solutions to address our state’s grand challenges around agriculture, economic opportunity, educational access and health and well-being. Faculty and staff in 114 counties and the city of St. Louis work to empower people, strengthen communities and develop leaders. True to our land-grant mission, we serve Missouri and deliver Mizzou as we improve lives and opportunities.