We are excited to host a Good Food for Thought Winter Webinar Series dedicated to topics and opportunities for convening for farmers! Registration is open for several of the following sessions, learn more below.
We will be offering these farmer-focused sessions weekly from January 20 through February 25. Topics include:
Employee management and fair-labor practices
Farm Systems
Regenerative Agriculture Practices for Livestock producers
Stress management tools
Wholesale & Restaurant Sales Readiness
While we wish we could convene for our annual Conference and Expo, Georgia Organics aims to continue to foster connection and educational opportunities for farmers across the state and beyond, while removing the geographic and financial barriers presented by traditional, in-person events.
To find out more and register for these sessions, visit: gfft.georgiaorganics.org/virtual-events. Hope to see you there!
WINTER WEBINAR SESSIONS, DATES & DESCRIPTIONS
Wednesday, January 20th, 4:00 - 5:40 p.m.
Continuing Towards Deep Sustainability
Presenters: Mark Cain, Dripping Springs Garden
Managing relationships, stress, and a farm business is more than enough to overwhelm many growers. Many of us run from one crisis to another, never quite enjoying any job as we rush out of fear to the next. Together we will take a look at how we create these stress patterns, and how we can work to transform them into skillful management that includes satisfaction, shared happiness, creative time-outs, and remembering why we came to this work in the first place.
Price: Donation based
Wednesday, January 27th, , 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Pasture Progress: A Closer Look at NRCS Programs for Livestock Farmers
Presenters: Bryan Hager, Crager Hager Farm. Ricky Dollison, Dollison Farms
Curious about livestock management systems that can save you money, build soil health, and improve your farm? From rotational grazing, seeding pastures, wells and watering to native forages and shade enclosures, choosing what to incorporate into your management system seems like a headache. Fortunately, The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is there to help! NRCS provides free technical services and financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers improve their operations. In this session, learn how you can access NRCS programs for your livestock operation and hear from farmers with real experience working with the NRCS. While this session has a Georgia focus, the NRCS is a federal program located in every state so tune in!
Price: Member Price - $5.00 | General Farmer - $10.00| Non Farmer - $15.00
Wednesday, February 3rd, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Farm Proven Strategies for Employee Management and Retention
Presenters: Paul and Lindsey Sorah of Hearts of Harvest Farm
Presenting: Paul and Lindsey Sorah of Hearts of Harvest Farm. This session will cover: The Sorah’s workflow for managing staff including check-ins and employee reviews Cultivating employees that are invested in your farm’s success The real cost of staff turnover and why investing in staff actually saves you money Management strategies to encourage retention Planning for payroll, balancing cash flow for payroll between peak season and slow season What qualities to look for when hiring While this session will have a farm focus, techniques and methods discussed apply to any manager or small business owner.
Price: Member Price - $5.00 | General Farmer - $10.00| Non Farmer - $15.00
Tuesday, February 23rd, 4:00 - 5:40 p.m.
Part 1: Choosing Markets & Managing Revenue Streams
Presenters: Lauren Cox, Georgia Organics
Join Lauren Cox, of Georgia Organics for this strategy-focused session that will help you think explicitly about the different revenue streams your farm business can access, what that means for your annual workflow, and how to pinpoint opportunities for expanding these markets or tightening them up. This session is best for diversified producers, beginning, intermediate, advanced farmers, and growers interested in diversifying revenue streams.
Price: Member Price - $10.00 | General Farmer - $15.00 | Non Farmer - $20.00
Thursday, February 25th, 4:00 - 5:40 p.m.
Part 2: Dish Dive into Wholesale and High-End Wholesale
Presenters: Lauren Cox, Georgia Organics, Neil Ringer, Common Market Southeast and Zac Harrison, Fresh Harvest
Are you interested in expanding your farm sales to restaurants, local aggregators, or CSA styled box programs but don’t know where to start? Lauren Cox, a former farmer who now runs Georgia Organics’ Farm to Restaurant program, will help you unpack some of the issues and barriers in getting your food from farm to restaurant along with key considerations for becoming ‘restaurant or wholesale ready.’ Topics include time/profitability assessment, successive planting techniques, ideal crop varieties, availability lists, and packaging strategies, along with a task-oriented breakout session.
Price: Member Price - $5.00 | General Farmer - $10.00| Non Farmer - $15.00
PRICING & DETAILS
Pricing:
We acknowledge the financial constraints the pandemic has caused for many folks, as such, Georgia Organics will offer a tiered pricing scale, donation- based, or free admission to this year's Good Food for Thought workshops. We want to ensure everyone who wants to attend a workshop will be able to do so!
Tiered Admission Cost:
· Georgia Organics Farmer Member: $5.00
· Non- Member Farmer: $10.00
· Non- Farmer: $15.00
** You must apply the Georgia Organics Farmer Member Promo Code at check out to the discounted rate. ** To request this promo code, email info.georgiaorganics@gmail.com.
We hope, with funds generated from these virtual workshops, that we can continue to provide educational and convening opportunities while offering scholarship funds to cover the cost of admissions when needed. Please contact Ashley Dowling at ashley@georgiaorganics.org with any questions or requests you may have regarding scholarship opportunities to attend the session at a further discounted rate.
If you have questions about the status of your Farmer Membership, please email contact Caroline Croland at carolinec@georgiaorganics.org. To receive the Farmer Member discount code please contact Porter Mitchell at porter@georgiaorganics.org.
To support our work, please consider becoming a member or making a one-time donation by clicking here.
Refund Policy:
Due to the virtual nature of this event, no refunds will be given. Ticket purchasers will have access to the session's recording following the live event.
Community Commitments:
Georgia Organics encourages attendees to actively participate and engage with our programming. Our organization values creating accessible and inclusive opportunities for convening and learning. We expect attendees to commit to participating in that same spirit.
We agree to honor the following community commitments when participating in a Georgia Organics organized workshop, training, or convening. We commit to:
· Fostering collaborative discussion
· Respecting the experiences and opinions of others that may diverge from our own
· Creating a space that is free from harassment of any kind including offensive, divisive, and profane language
· Willingness to step back after making a contribution so others can participate
· Speaking for yourself and from your own experience
· Being patient as technical issues may arise
Staff, speakers, and attendees are expected to honor these commitments. Georgia Organics reserves the right to revoke live event access if Community Commitments are broken. No refunds will be given to attendees who are removed from the event for violation of these standards.
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