GROW Network
We are excited to invite you to enroll in the 2021 FRESHFARM GROW Network! This is a brand new program to provide professional development and learning opportunities to farmers in the FRESHFARM network, at no cost to you! Farmers who join will have access to FRESHFARM-funded opportunities on the following key topics:
- Social media and effective marketing strategies
- Sustainable agriculture
Over the next 6-8 months, the GROW Network will give you the tools to achieve your goals through the following programming:
SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING SUPPORT
Kickstart your market season with a boost to your social media and marketing efforts with sessions led by Kristie Chamberlain of Dandelion & Co.:
- Social Media Basics Course
- Four recorded videos sections:
- Why Social Media & How to Get Started
- What To Say & How To Say It
- Creating Content
- Should I Spend Money On Advertising?
- Zoom meeting course review April 19th, 2021 (60 mins)
- Four recorded videos sections:
- Website & Social Media Audits
- Expert review of your current online presence with feedback on visual appeal, functionality, areas of opportunity and overall strengths.
- Provided to you by April 16th, 2021
- Digital Tool Kits
- Receive customizable templates to promote your farm on social media
- Delivered to you by June 1st
- Virtual Mid-Season Meeting
- How to Tell Your Farm’s Story
- Zoom meeting Monday June 14th, 2021 (60 mins)
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
- Access to The Rodale Institute’s new online course, Transition to Certified Organic Agriculture
- Learn about the benefits of transitioning to organic production and how to implement sustainable practices on your farm.
- Watch the video content at your own pace (average video length is under 15 min).
- Course completion due August 31, 2021.
- Participate in the Soil Health Benchmark Study
- Learn how to improve soil health on your farm by assessing current soil health conditions, identifying alternative management strategies and designing an implementation plan.
- FRESHFARM funded soil analysis by Cornell University.
- Zoom orientation on June 7th, 2021 (60 mins).
We have funding to send up to 30 farms through the GROW Network this year, and space will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. In addition to participating yourself, we encourage you to think about who on the farm might also be interested or benefit from this year’s programming.
The training and courses provided are designed to offer you flexibility and work around your existing schedule. While we do ask that you participate in all of the programming outlined above, you will have several months to work through the material at your own pace. At the end of the year, you should be better equipped to promote your farm and engage with customers, and understand how your farm can contribute towards the sustainable agriculture movement.
Follow this link and apply to the 2021 GROW Network. You may also reach out to Gary Hall at gary@freshfarm.org with questions or for more information.