Web Marketing & Social Media for the Small Farm

Are you trying to figure out new ways to tell your farm story, or connect with consumers or CSA members or farmers' market customers?

Are you considering creating a website for your farm but aren't sure how to go about it?

Or maybe you have a website but need to do a better job of marketing it or increasing traffic...

Do you enjoy social networking using Facebook and other tools but aren't sure how to use these tools to market your farm?

Well we have a workshop for you!

March 18, 2010: Cultivating Connections: Web Marketing and Social Media for the Small Farm

9:00 am-5:00 pm in the Agriculture Building Auditorium in Pittsboro, NC

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop entitled Cultivating Connections: Web Marketing and Social Media for the Small Farm as part of its Enhancing Sustainability Series on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro.

Workshop Topics:
- The pros and cons of social media for farmers: what are the benefits?

- How do I decide which tools are best for me and my farm? How to maximize your time in the field and minimize time in front of the computer!

- We'll learn how farmers in NC and beyond are using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to connect with consumers as well as their peers.

- We'll look at how farmers are using blogs to tell their farm story, strengthen their connection to their community, and communicate with CSA and farmers' market customers.

- Live demonstrations of how to use these different social media tools will highlight their features and ease of use.

Participants will learn about the principles of web marketing for farms. Topics include:
- choosing and buying a domain name
- components of a good farm website
- search engine optimization tips
- marketing your website
- email marketing

- How to create a dynamic, professional, and successful farm website using software such as WordPress (free) and Small Farm Central (subscription service). We will build a simple website during the workshop using both of these tools.

- Participants will also learn about Small Farm Central's tool for managing community supported agriculture memberships, called the CSA Member Assembler.

Presenters:

- Debbie Roos, NC Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center
- Simon Huntley, Small Farm Central
- Emily Lancaster, Dutch Buffalo Farm
- Judy Lessler, Harland's Creek Farm
- Jason & Haruka Oatis, Edible Earthscapes

Information on how to register can be found on the Growing Small Farms website.

Source: Debbie Roos, Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent