Beginning Farmer Agri-Tourism Workshop in California

Beginning Farmer Agri-tourism Workshop to be held on Wednesday, March 26th 2014, 9 am - 3:30 pm at Morgan Hill Community Center, Morgan Hill, California

RSVP for this workshop by signing up at https://www.sagecenter.org/projects/beginning-farmer-rancher-program/.  For more information, please email beginningfarmerrancher@sagecenter.org or call 510-526-1793 x5. Cost: Program and lunch: $10 (or sliding scale). Free follow up technical assistance is available to a limited number of beginning farmers and ranchers in Alameda, Contra Costa & Santa Clara Counties. Audience: The program is geared to beginning agri-tourism operators; more experienced operators are welcome.

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Program and Presenters:

8:30 am          Check in and registration w/ refreshments

9:00 am          Welcome and introductions

9:15 am          Panel of current agri-tourism operators: Brent Bonino, LJB Farms; Pete Aeillo, Uesugi Farms; Liza Garibaldi, Shady Creek Farm; Andy Mariani, Andy’s Orchard; and Kim Windsor, Windsor Farm

10:15 am        Assessing Your Farm/Ranch for Agri-Tourism Potential: Penny Leff, Agri-tourism Coordinator, UC ANR Small Farm Program

10:45 am        Break

11:00 am        Regulatory overview:  Bill Shoe, Santa Clara County Planning Department; Martha Wien, Santa Clara County Environmental Health; Insurance Overview:  Eric Isaacson, Interwest Insurance Services

12:15 pm        Lunch and networking

1:00 pm          Business Resources: Dennis King, Small Business Development Center

Marketing overview – tools and best practices: Jenn Beninger, iBrandYourBusiness

2:00 pm          Break

2:15 pm          Connecting to local tourism and local food communities:  John Horner, Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce/Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance; Ana Lelescu, CA Passport Tours; and Sadie Clements, Farm to Market Tools and Services, Community Alliance with Family Farmers

3:15 pm          Wrap up and summary

3:30 pm          Adjourn