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UID:9702-1793728800-1793739600@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Infrastructure and Natural Resources
DESCRIPTION:Plan the Physical Farm Around the Business\nWinter Business Intensive: Infrastructure and Natural Resources is the third session in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive Field School. The November 3 class runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe session focuses on the physical systems that make a farm work and the natural resources that support production. Buildings\, fencing\, water\, roads\, equipment\, soils\, pasture\, and other resources can determine what an operation can realistically produce and how efficiently it can grow. \n\n\nMatch Investments to Real Farm Needs\nParticipants can consider buildings\, fencing\, water systems\, equipment\, roads\, utilities\, and other infrastructure while also examining soil\, water\, forests\, pasture\, and related natural resources. \nThe goal is not simply to list improvements. Farmers can use the planning process to ask whether a proposed investment actually supports their production system\, markets\, and long-term business goals. A costly building or piece of equipment can become a burden if it does not solve a real production or labor problem. \nPlanning infrastructure before purchasing can help producers prioritize investments and understand how individual improvements fit into the larger farm system. \nPut Conservation Into the Business Plan\nNatural-resource decisions also have business consequences. Soil condition\, water availability\, erosion\, pasture quality\, and woodland management can influence productivity\, costs\, and resilience. \nFarmers can use the session to think about conservation and resource stewardship as part of business planning\, not as a separate activity. In some cases\, conservation practices can also connect producers with technical assistance or cost-share programs that make improvements more affordable. \nPrepare for Later Financial Decisions\nThis session builds on the earlier work of defining farm goals and assessing available resources. It also prepares participants for later discussions about markets\, financial management\, and production planning because infrastructure needs often shape both costs and capacity. \nAppalachian RC&D’s Winter Business Intensive is an eight-session series for beginning and experienced farmers. Completion can also qualify participants for Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-infrastructure-and-natural-resources/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Infrustructure-Natural-Resources1.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T210000
DTSTAMP:20260923T222138Z
CREATED:20260913T154140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T222138Z
UID:9707-1794938400-1794949200@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Markets and Marketing
DESCRIPTION:Find the Market That Fits the Farm\nWinter Business Intensive: Markets and Marketing will help farmers look beyond what they can produce and focus on who will buy it. The fourth session in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive is scheduled for November 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe session gives participants an opportunity to examine customers\, sales channels\, pricing\, promotion\, and the practical demands that different markets place on a farm business. \n\n\nCompare Sales Channels Before Committing\nMarkets and Marketing participants can examine options such as farmers markets\, farm stands\, community-supported agriculture programs\, restaurants\, wholesale buyers\, and other outlets. Each channel comes with different expectations for pricing\, volume\, packaging\, delivery\, and customer communication. \nA market with strong sales potential may also require more transportation\, packaging\, labor\, or production consistency. Farmers can compare those demands with their operations’ actual capacity before deciding where to invest time and money. \nThe session also encourages producers to consider whether a market aligns with the farm’s scale and long-term goals rather than chasing every possible sales opportunity. \nBuild a Clear Message for Customers\nMarketing is not only about choosing where to sell. Farmers also need to communicate what they offer\, why it matters\, and how customers can buy it. \nParticipants can think of branding\, promotion\, and customer communication as tools that support the business\, not separate tasks. A clear message can help a farm explain its products\, production practices\, availability\, and value without relying on vague claims or constant discounting. \nUse Marketing Information in the Business Plan\nMarket decisions affect production planning\, infrastructure\, and finances. A farmer who knows which customers matter most can make better decisions about crop mix\, livestock numbers\, harvest timing\, packaging\, and delivery. \nThis November 17 session is part of an eight-session series that guides participants toward a stronger farm business plan. Appalachian RC&D says qualifying graduates can also earn Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-markets-and-marketing/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Markets1-scaled.jpg
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