The Farm to Market Connection 2013

Register Now for the 2013 Farm to Market Connection!
Join us for a day of networking and education about the most current topics in marketing. Gather with local food advocates from across the region including farmers, retailers, restaurateurs, specialty food producers, distributors, farmers' market staff and economic development practitioners. The Farm to Market Connection is the perfect way to get the growing season off to the right start!
Dozens of past attendees have told us about lasting business… Show more connections they have made as a result of attending. Buyers of all scales will be present from local retailers to regional distributors. Educational topics will suit the interest of vegetable, livestock and dairy producers.
Prefer to pay by check? Register above and click on "Show other payment options." Send your check for $35 per registrant ($45 if after March 15), made out to "Wac" and mail it to Pure Catskills, 44 West Street, Walton, NY 13856. Please include "Conference" in the check memo.
(NOTE: Speakers and staff do not have to pre-register.)
Schedule:
9:30–10 a.m. Registration
10–10:15 a.m. Welcome
10:15–11 a.m. State of the Foodshed Address with Q&A
11 a.m.–Noon Panel: Building Food Hub Networks
Noon–1:15 p.m. Local Foods Luncheon
12:30–2:15 p.m. Buyer-Producer Speed Networking and Tradeshow
2:30–3:15 p.m. Workshops and Panel I
3:30–4:15 p.m. Workshops and Panel II
Program Overview:
STATE Of The Foodshed ADDRESS
Jennifer Grossman, Jennifer K. Grossman Consulting LLC./NRDC, and Rebecca Morgan, Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship
While Catskills farmers are feeding their herds, making value-added products and tending to crops, regional organizations are making connections; talking distribution; thinking about the next generation of farmers; and identifying trends for small farm profitability. So what does it all mean and what’s next? In this dynamic conference kick-off, the stage is set for the day’s activities with a snapshot of developing projects throughout the Catskills and in metropolitan markets. Presenters bridge the divide, relaying relevant opportunities and addressing the challenges facing the Catskills foodshed.
HUDSON Valley Food Hub Research UPDATE
Sarah Brannen, President, Upstream Advisors: Consultant to Local Economies Project, New World Foundation
A follow-up to last year’s Food Hub Listening Session, Sarah Brannen returns to report on Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress’ research results related to food distribution infrastructure, such as food hubs, and resources and opportunities to help farms bring their products to new markets.
PANEL: Building Food Hub NETWORKS
Moderator: Emily Deans, Agricultural Coordinator, Catskill Mountain-keeper
Panel:
- Catskills Micro-Hub: Richard Giles, Lucky Dog Organic Farm; Rebecca Morgan, Cade
- Greenmarket Co.: Nathan Forster and/or Olivia Blanchflower
- Growing Upstate Food Hub: Beth McKellips, Cce Madison County
- Hudson Valley Food Hub: Representative(s) to be announced
- Jennifer Grossman, Jennifer K. Grossman Consulting LLC./NRDC
With the recent announcement of state funding for five food hubs across the state, and micro-hubs in development in the Catskills region, the panel begins to answer the question of how Catskills region producers can access new services to reduce aggregation and distribution challenges and connect more New Yorkers with the fresh, healthy food raised here.
LOCAL Luncheon, Buyer-Producer Speed Networking And TRADESHOW
After lunch, prepared by Holley White-Giles and the team of Lucky Dog Café, they are invited to visit the tradeshow where vendors such as Catskills FarmLink, Milk Not Jails, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Pure Catskills and other regional businesses will offer information and demonstrations.
At 12:30 p.m., producers interested in connecting directly with new market opportunities should report to the Auditorium where buyers, including local retail outlets, buying clubs, CSAs, distributors and chefs, are anxious to connect with Catskills producers. Networking participants are asked to bring with them product and pricing information to leave with interested buyers.
PANEL & Workshops I
2:30-3:15 p.m.
PANEL: Sharing The Local Food Message Through Technology
Moderator: Tara Collins, Watershed Agricultural Council
Panel: - Marjorie McCord, Marketing and Social Media Consultant
- Julia Reischel, Watershed Post
- Mel Weiss, Stone Barns Center, Virtual Grange
Technology is transforming local economies and markets around the world by helping people communicate, connect and transact. Online technology is making it easier for both producers and consumers to share their stories and connect. This session seeks to introduce participants to new tools, techniques and trends to build an online presence.
WORKSHOP: Pasture To PLATE
Presenters: Ken Jaffe, Slope Farms, and Kate Marsiglio, Stony Creek Farm
As the market for grass-based livestock continues to grow Catskills farmers are seeking ways to connect with new consumers. This workshop explores two models, one for connecting with wholesale markets and the other a unique direct to consumer approach. Both farmers are building their bench of farmers that can supplement their market supply.
WORKSHOP: Hiring On-Farm LABOR
Presenter: Jason Foscolo, The Food Law Firm
The Food Law Firm is a national law firm specializing in agricultural law and food law issues. Navigating the challenges and limitations of educational on-farm positions, this session explains how to bring interns and apprentices to live, learn and work on your small farm, as well as other forms of on-farm labor.
PANEL & Workshops II
3:30-4:15 p.m.
PANEL: Supporting Beginning Farmers In The Catskills & BEYOND
Moderator: Sonja Hedlund, Apple Pond Farm and Renewable Energy Education Center
Panel:
- Eleanor Blakeslee-Drain, Farmhearts Fellow, Coordinator of Catskills FarmLink and Catskills Craft - Tianna Kennedy, Farmer Development, Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship
- Violet Stone, Cornell Small Farms Program, NY Sare Coordinator - Severine Von Tscharner Fleming, The Greenhorns
The Catskills are a great place to operate a small, diversified farm. As current farmers retire, their productive lands go idle. Panelists explore the opportunities and resources for beginning farmers interested in joining our rural farming community and how to raise the profile of the region as a farming destination.
WORKSHOP: Expand Your Market Offering With Small-Scale Aquaculture
Presenter: John Janiszewski, Wildflower Farm
Raising and selling fish can be great way for small farms to sustainably expand their market offerings. Wildflower Farm has begun breeding and designing a small-scale system that can be employed on farms throughout the Catskills as a means of diversifying farm offerings. This session offers a top-line introduction to raising tilapia in the region.
WORKSHOP: Understanding Restaurant SYSTEMS
Presenters: Jason Wood, Glynwood
As more farm-to-table restaurants emerge, chefs are working directly with farmers who understand the challenges of the restaurant system. From how to approach a restaurant and crops in demand, to pricing, packaging and more, this session offers the restaurant chef’s point of view for using your fresh farm ingredients.
BONUS Workshop: Pure Catskills Marketplace Orientation
Presenter: Josh VanBrakle, Watershed Agricultural Council
Pure Catskills Marketplace provides an easy, inexpensive, locally based way to sell your farm and forest products online. Attend one of the two concurrent orientations to learn how Pure Catskills Marketplace can be your ticket to reaching new markets and increasing your bottom line through e-commerce. Current Pure Catskills members are eligible to join this new online portal at no additional cost.
Interested in a Tradeshow table? Are you a buyer that would like to be part of the Buyer-Producer Speed Networking?
Contact Farm to Market Manager, Sonia Janiszewski, at sjaniszewski@nycwatershed.org or 607-865-7090 x 217.
Directions to the Cvi Building:
From the N.Y. Metropolitan Area : • Take Nys Thruway 87 North to Exit 16 • Go through toll to Route 17 West • Route 17 West to Exit 101 – Ferndale • Make right off exit • Go approximately 100 yards to Cvi sign • Make left and proceed up hill
From the Hudson Valley : • Nys Thruway 87 South to Exit 19 – Kingston • Take the exit for Ellenville – Route 209 • In Ellenville turn right onto Route 52 West • Take Route 52 West to Liberty approximately 20 miles • Continue past Shoprite (on left) • At next traffic light, make a left • Approximately ½ mile, look for Cvi sign on left • Make left and proceed up hill
From Binghamton and Northern Catskills : • Take Route 17 East to Exit 101 – Ferndale • At the end of ramp, make a left • At the “T”, make another left through underpass • Look for Cvi sign on the right • Make right and proceed up hill

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