Missouri farmers and ranchers looking for new ways to make their operations more profitable will have a chance to learn directly from others who are already doing it.
University of Missouri Extension is offering a new Field to Consumer Farm Tours series for farmers, ranchers, agricultural entrepreneurs and rural residents.
The idea is pretty simple. Instead of sitting in a classroom and talking about what might work, participants will visit working farms and see what is actually being done.
The series, organized by MU Extension's Agricultural Business and Policy team, will focus on the theme "Real Farms. Real Strategies. Real Opportunities."
Denice Ferguson, MU Extension field specialist in agricultural business and policy, said participants will see how farm families have added different sources of income through agritourism, community-supported agriculture, farmers markets, direct sales and value-added products.
"Many producers have innovative ideas and tremendous passion for agriculture, but long-term success requires strong business planning, marketing, financial management and risk management skills," Ferguson said.
The tour will be held Thursday, Aug. 20, at Triple H Family Farm in Marshall. Participants will learn how the farm grows and markets fresh vegetables through a Community Supported Agriculture program, commonly called a CSA, along with local farmers markets.
Another tour is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 17, at Anne's Acres in Lincoln. That operation has diversified through u-pick strawberries and blueberries along with direct-to-consumer marketing.
Along the way, participants will learn about recordkeeping, managing risk, evaluating potential farm enterprises and selling products directly to consumers. The goal is to give producers practical information they can take home and use in their own operations.
"These tours allow participants to learn directly from successful farm families while gaining practical strategies they can implement in their own operations," Ferguson said.
Each workshop costs $10, and attendance is limited to 20 people per session. Preregistration is required through the University of Missouri Extension website. Participants should dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. Water will be provided.
The tours are part of a larger food and farm business development effort supported by the Patterson Family Foundation. The program serves counties in northwestern and west-central Missouri and provides workshops, individual business counseling and other resources for farm and food businesses.
Some eligible businesses may also qualify for the Harvest to Market grant program. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 and can help pay for equipment, marketing, e-commerce, facility improvements and other projects aimed at expanding opportunities for local farm and food businesses.
For producers who have thought about adding something new to their operation but aren't quite sure where to begin, the tours are designed to offer a firsthand look at what other Missouri farm families have tried — and what they've learned along the way.
