Marketing workshop offered to farmers

Nevada agricultural producers can learn how to manage the legal, marketing and financial risks associated with direct marketing food and agricultural products at a day-long workshop.

The program, "Food Safety: A Tool for Managing Risk and Expanding Direct Marketing Opportunities," will be presented in Fallon with simultaneous interactive video at six locations in Douglas, Lincoln, Lyon, northeast Clark, White Pine and Washoe counties.

The program is sponsored by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, with funding provided by the Western Center for Risk Management Education.

The workshop will highlight: Food safety regulations associated with direct-marketed goods; how producers can find information about food safety regulations in their area; harvesting and packaging safety guidelines; how to prepare an operation for the legal fallout associated with a food safety violation; strategies to use food safety assurances to add value to products; a question-and-answer session with producers already involved in direct marketing food and agricultural products in Nevada.

Program participants will gain a better understanding of the legal and financial risks associated with a food safety violation and how to manage these risks, and learn the packaging and labeling requirements for direct marketing to grocery stores and restaurants in Nevada.

The workshop will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Churchill County UNCE Office, 111 Sheckler Road, Fallon. Interactive video of the event will be at the Douglas County UNCE Office, 1329 Waterloo, Gardnerville. The registration fee is $20, which covers snacks, lunch, refreshments and all materials. Registration and checks, made payable to the Board of Regents, should be forwarded to Maggie Cowee, University of Nevada, Reno, Mail Stop 204, Reno, NV 89557-0105. Registration at the door will be based on space availability. For more information, contact Cowee at (775) 784-6499 or mcowee@cabnr.unr.edu.