Sept. 13, 7pm | Business Planning Pt. 1 - (Online) 

This two part business planning course will provide you with the principles, practices, strategies, and requirements needed to form and manage a direct to consumer small business.

The first course topics include legal forms of organization, hiring employees, financial issues, establishing credit, securing loans, taxes, insurance and legal issues.  

Sept. 24, 8 - 10 a.m. CST  Omaha Farmer's Market - (In-Person: Omaha, NE)

Selling direct to consumer can be approached in a variety of ways. Farmers Markets are often a great seasonal way to gain passionate customers. But what does it REALLY take to sell at a market? Are all markets the same? Put your gained classroom knowledge into practice as we meet to evaluate each sales location.  Meet the vendors, evaluate effective marketing strategies, presentation of goods, customer relations, and more. Walk through with experienced teachers as you evaluate how you are going to sell direct to consumer.

Oct. 4, 7pm | Business Planning Pt. 2 - (Online)

This two part business planning course will provide you with the principles, practices, strategies, and requirements needed to form and manage a small business.

The second course will walk you through University of Minnesota farm business planning software and the necessary parts of a business plan so that you can succeed in direct to consumer sales.

Nov. 8, 7pm | Branding - (Online) 

For a small business to succeed it must connect with its audience on a personal level, successful businesses understand the value of connecting through emotions, fulfilling people's desires. They adopt a unique personality and differentiate their products and services. 

This courses covers the basics of branding on the artistic side (color/logos/tagline) but then digs deeper into; establishing trust with your customers, customer service, customer  experience, determining what makes you different, how should you view "competition", what is special about you/your product, and more. This course is a must before developing your marketing plan.

February 7th, 7pm CST: Online Marketing - (Online)

Selling direct to consumer can be approached in a variety of ways. Online sales via websites and social media can be very effective and reach hundreds of thousands of customers. What are keys to having a good website? How do you get started? Can you sell from a Facebook page? What about Google? If selling online sounds exciting and overwhelming this course will help give you the basics as you evaluate how you are going to sell direct to consumer and see if selling online is right for you.

Mar. 7, 7pm | Marketing Plan - (Online)

Learn the five main components of the marketing plan and gain practical skills on how to write each main component; Analysis, Objectives, Strategy,  Activities and Budget. Small businesses must understand their plan before spending money that can end up being wasted.

April 15th, 10am Barreras Farmer's Market - (In-Person: Omaha, NE)

Selling direct to consumer can be approached in a variety of ways. Brick and mortar stores are often a valuable strategy to direct sales. Put your gained classroom knowledge into practice as we meet to evaluate each sales location.  Meet the managers, evaluate effective marketing strategies, see what it costs, presentation of goods, customer relations, and more. Walk through with experienced teachers as you evaluate how you are going to sell direct to consumer and see if selling in a store is right for you.

May 9, 7pm | Risk Management - (Online)

This course will cover how to mitigate financial risks in your farm and small business. Learn in detail about budgeting including cashflow projections, record keeping, & financial scorecard and how to apply that to your farm and small business.

June 6th, 7pm | Customer Relations & Records - (Online)

Sales will strengthen and grow when you understand your customer and have a specific plan develop the relationship with your customers. This course looks at; providing personalized customer experiences, build trust with your customers, value in customer feedback, creating referrals, and more.

Selling direct to consumer can be approached in a variety of ways. Farmers Markets are often a great seasonal way to gain passionate customers. But what does it REALLY take to sell at a market? Are all markets the same? Put your gained classroom knowledge into practice as we meet to evaluate each sales location.  Meet the vendors, evaluate effective marketing strategies, presentation of goods, customer relations, and more. Walk through with experienced teachers as you evaluate how you are going to sell direct to consumer.

Aug. 8, evening TBD Showcase - (Online or In-person TBD)

Celebration event!! A lot has been covered in this online series and we want to give each student an opportunity to connect and inspire each other with what they have learned along the way and how they have or plan to implement their learned knowledge. This will be a fun and interactive family event. Location TBD.

These courses are FREE. Registration is required. 

Contact: Mariel Barreras, marielbarreras4505@gmail.com Ally Morrill, education@barrerasfamilyfarm.com

The following are partners in supporting these classes.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA-NIFA under Award Number 2021-70027-34694