The Kansas Rural Center invites beginning farmers and ranchers searching for information on pricing and selling in local food markets to join a teleconference call at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 26,
The call will be moderated by Julie Mettenburg, Executive Director of the Kansas Rural Center, who brings experience in marketing grass-finished beef and other meats from her family’s operation in Franklin County. Also joining the call will be producers with experience in fruits and vegetables, and value-added products. They will be available to share information, resources and ideas.
The conversation will be structured around the questions and comments participants bring to the call. Participants on the call will be invited to share their experiences and challenges around pricing and marketing their products, to gain feedback and help identify what resources may be needed in Kansas.
KRC is conducting a year-long study of the challenges that are reported by beginning farmers, with a goal of identifying resource needs. KRC is also providing education on top challenges as identified through the study, including access to capital, equipment and land; pricing and marketing; and organic certification, among others. Funding for this research and education project is provided by Farm Aid.
The call is toll free and can be accessed on a home or cell phone. To participate in the call, please visit www.kansasruralcenter.org to sign up and receive the call number or contact Natalie Fullerton at nfullerton@kansasruralcenter.org, or 402-310-0177.
The next call will be held Oct. 24 and will focus on transitioning to certified organic. In addition, information for beginning farmers, and landowners who may be interested in meeting them, will be offered at KRC’s annual Farm & Food Conference Saturday, Nov. 2, in Newton.
The Kansas Rural Center is a nonprofit organization that since 1979 has promoted the long term health of the land and its people through research, education and advocacy that advances economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just food and farming systems. Beginning farmer and rancher support has been a long term core value KRC continues to cultivate.
More information about this call and other upcoming opportunities are available at www.kansasruralcenter.org. Or, please contact Project Coordinator Natalie Fullerton at nfullerton@kansasruralcenter.org, or 402-310-0177.