Field Day Helps Farmers Network, Market Crops

BY SUSAN COLLINS-SMITH

GOODMAN, Miss. – Fruit and vegetable producers can learn online marketing techniques and networking strategies during the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm field day on May 16.

Roberto Gallardo, an associate Extension professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for Technology Outreach, will help growers understand how to use social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. He and his team will explain the benefits of using social media and other Internet resources to connect with customers. After the field day, Extension CTO employees will provide assistance to farmers who want to establish an Internet presence.

Patrick Jerome of Rainbow CO-OP Grocery and Chef Troy Woodson of High Noon Cafe will help growers understand the needs and requirements of the specialty food market.

“Growers should know who their customers will be before they plant their first seed,” said Keith Benson, director of the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm.

Representatives with the University of Mississippi Transactional Law Clinic also will be on hand to offer business advice in confidential, one-on-one sessions.

The field day is free and open to the public. The event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. Advance registration is required. Lunch and materials will be provided.

Alliance partner farmers and gardeners can pick up spring transplants of bell pepper, tomato, hot pepper, sweet pepper, eggplant, cucumber and squash.

These field days continue for the rest of the year and are held on the third Friday of each month through November. The last field day is scheduled for Dec. 12. Topics range from pest, disease and weed management to profit planning.

To register for the field day or for more information, contact Benson at 601-988-4999 or keithmdp@yahoo.com. The Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production is located one mile southwest of Highway 51 in Holmes County at 1184 Coleman Road, between Goodman and Durant.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Grant Program fund the programs.