Specialty Crop Marketing Boot Camp planned for February

Marketing expert and storyteller to share expert advice

January 12, 2023, 12:13 pm | Olivia Hanlon

AMES, Iowa -- The Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will hold a virtual Specialty Crop Marketing Boot Camp on two occasions in February.

Darcy Maulsby.Designed to help those who grow and market specialty crops, the boot camp will feature expert insight from Darcy Maulsby, an Iowa author and experienced ag marketer known as “Iowa’s Storyteller.”

The sessions will be offered Feb. 6-7 and Feb. 13-14, from 11 a.m. to noon, with time for individual coaching sessions from the instructor on Feb. 15.

“You’re a hard-working, innovative, small-scale farmer, but do you feel stuck? If you’re ready to grow your small ag enterprise into larger business (or leave your day job and work on your farm full-time), marketing is key,” said Maulsby. “You just need the right tools in your toolbox to get the job done, without sounding 'sales-y,' boring or self-centered.”

Maulsby will share proven, practical tips (from photography to social media to storytelling) to help people become smart marketers and boost their profit potential.

Even people who prefer hands-on production to marketing will still benefit from these user-friendly, simple strategies that demystify marketing and make it more enjoyable.

Registration is free thanks to funding from the Iowa Specialty Crop Block Grant through the Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship. Registration is limited to 15 producers or businesses. Register at https://go.iastate.edu/LKANDJ.

For more information, contact Olivia Hanlon, extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development, at 515-296-0586 or ohanlon@iastate.edu

Shareable photos: 1. Darcy Maulsby. 2. Specialty Crop Boot Camp graphic.

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