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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261112T080000
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UID:10274-1794470400-1794488400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Connect Directly With Regional Food Buyers\nFarmers\, ranchers\, and food producers looking to expand wholesale sales can meet regional buyers directly at the Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting on November 12. The free event runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kern’s Bakery\, 2201 Kerns Rising Way in Knoxville. \nThe Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting connects East Tennessee agricultural producers with chefs\, restaurant owners\, grocery managers\, distributors\, and institutional food-service buyers interested in local supply. Ultimately\, the goal is to help growers start conversations\, learn buyers’ needs\, and identify relationships to pursue after the event. \n\n\nLearn What Wholesale Buyers Need\nDoors open at 8 a.m. for networking and coffee\, followed by breakfast and a welcome session at 8:30. The main Grower-Buyer Meeting and Meet the Experts session runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Farmers can introduce their businesses\, discuss products and seasonal availability\, and ask buyers about purchasing requirements. \nOrganizers make clear that the meeting does not guarantee sales or contracts. Instead\, it is an opportunity to open a door and follow up later. That can help producers considering wholesale markets but not yet sure what individual restaurants\, grocers\, or distributors require. \nBusiness Guidance for Producers\nExperts will discuss marketing\, social media\, and food safety. They will cover Tennessee Department of Agriculture requirements and other wholesale-readiness topics. These topics matter because wholesale channels differ from direct-to-consumer sales in packaging\, delivery\, pricing\, and communication. \nThe Knoxville Grower-Buyer Meeting welcomes produce farmers\, fruit growers\, and row-crop operations. It also welcomes livestock producers\, dairies\, egg suppliers\, and specialty or value-added agricultural businesses. These groups are ready to explore wholesale expansion. Additionally\, partners include Real Good Kitchen Foundation\, Nourish Knoxville\, and UT Extension. \nRegistration is free. Farmers planning to attend may benefit from bringing information about their products\, seasonal availability\, production capacity\, and current sales channels to make the most of conversations with buyers. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/knoxville-grower-buyer-meeting/
LOCATION:Kern’s Bakery\, 2201 Kerns Rising Way\, Knoxville\, TN\, 37920\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education
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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
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