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Take a dive into the world of e-commerce! In the first half, industry experts will provide an overview of different e-commerce channels that can be used to drive online sales. In the second half, see examples of successful digital marketing strategies you can employ (i.e. how to drive traffic, use social media effectively, etc.). Finally, hear from local startups who have found success in e-commerce.

We'll also share information on our cost-sharing program for e-commerce activities. We're bringing this event to you in collaboration with Grow North and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute.

Stressful times in agriculture can trigger difficult conversations that many of us dread – whether we’re delivering bad news, are on the receiving end of it, or are helping farmers or farm families make sense of it all.  Fortunately, these situations don’t have to be uncomfortable or unproductive. 

In this series of five engaging 30-minute Zoom sessions, you’ll learn tips and strategies for having constructive interactions that can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. You will also learn precautions to keep yourself safe in highly charged situations. These free online sessions are an adaptation of a three-hour workshop we offered in 2019. Whether the content is new to you or you simply want a refresher, we hope you’ll participate and share the opportunity with colleagues.

Time: 8:30-9:00 a.m. each day

Schedule:

Monday, September 14 - Bring your best self forward

Tuesday, September 15 - Embrace conflict and change 

Wednesday, September 16 - Name and frame the conversation 

Thursday, September 17 - Listen for success

Friday, September 18 - Be safe: de-escalation and personal safety

Objectives:

• Reduce personal anxiety and fear about interpersonal conflict
• Explore the connection between conflict and change
• Understand how self-awareness and group dynamics contribute to successful outcomes
• Recognize the importance of using framing and reflecting techniques in discussion
• Learn precautions you can take to keep yourself safe at work – both in and outside your office

About the Presenters:

Denise Stromme, M.A. is a University of Minnesota Extension educator in the Center for Community Vitality. She has more than 35 years of experience helping adults develop the skills, connections, and confidence they need to realize their goals. Born and raised in Detroit Lakes, Denise has degrees in Education and Intercultural Management which have led her to live and work across the U.S. and abroad. A member of the Minnesota law enforcement community will teach Friday’s session on de-escalation and personal safety.

This workshop is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2018-38640-28416 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ENC18-170. The MDA and USDA are equal opportunity employers and service providers. The opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this workshop do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Stephen Moser at 651-201-6012 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

The Governor’s Food Safety and Defense Task Force has continuously met since 1990 to discuss issues affecting Minnesota’s food system. The task force is composed of sixteen members, nine of whom are appointed by the Governor’s office, representing food regulatory agencies, agricultural industries, food related non-profit associations, and the University of Minnesota. Meetings of the Task Force are held every other month and are open to anyone interested.

Due to precautions against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in conformance with Minnesota Statues Section 13D.021, upcoming meetings of the FSDTF have been scheduled and will be changed from in-person meetings to video-conference meetings with a phone-in option. 

Attend the Sept 15th meeting using WebEx.

Or you can call in via audio conference (sorry, this is not a toll-free line) by calling:
+1-415-655-0003

Access code: 146 747 6706

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Natasha Hedin at 612-247-5888 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible. 

The Food Innovation Team (FIT) was created as a subcommittee of the Minnesota Food Safety and Defense Task Force to help answer questions and assist food business owners in navigating Minnesota’s food licensing and regulatory environment.  Most food business owners receive a license to do business from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), or their delegated agencies with relative ease. However, some food business owners may encounter challenges in licensing due to a number of factors that may not easily be resolved without assistance. When this happens food business owners are encouraged to work with the FIT to help answer their questions and create a path forward for their licensing needs. FIT meetings are held every other month and are open to anyone interested.

Due to precautions against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in conformance with Minnesota Statues Section 13D.021, upcoming meetings of the FIT have been scheduled and will be changed from in-person meetings to video-conference meetings with a phone-in option.

Join the September 15th meeting using WebEx

Or you can call in via audio conference (sorry, this is not a toll-free line) by calling:
+1-415-655-0003

Access code: 146 061 9377

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Natasha Hedin at 612-247-5888 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

Join the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) team on a virtual field trip to R&R Cultivation in Roseville, Minnesota. Discover the many types of mushrooms, earn about the process of growing them in their urban location, and ask questions live. The live video stream will last approximately 20-30 minutes. If you can’t tune in during the live event, the video will be posted on the MAITC YouTube site for later viewing.

Visit the MAITC website to learn more about this tour and all our resources for educators.

This training is being offered remotely, via Zoom. In order to participate, individuals must have a web-cam, two-way audio (speakers & microphone), reliable internet, and will be required to have the web-cam on during the full course of the training (8:45am - 5:00pm). This is to verify participants' presence and participation.

Who should attend?

This one-day training course is for produce growers. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, at least one responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or equivalent. This course meets those requirements. All produce growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are welcome to attend. Contact the MDA Produce Safety Program to learn if your farm is covered by the rule.

What to Expect at the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training Course

The training will consist of both practical guidance for implementing Good Agricultural Practices as well as the requirements of FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Key Topics:

• Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be on the farm
• Practices that reduce risks, and practical methods to implement these practices on the farm
• Parts of the farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and information to help you meet them
• Your questions on the rule and how it is being implemented in Minnesota

Registration

Registration includes the training materials (mailed to you in advance) and a Certificate of Course Attendance. Participation for the entire training is required to receive the certificate. Check-in opens at 8:45am, training will begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm. Class sizes are limited and on a first-come, first serve basis. For mailing purposes, we are only accepting registrations for attendees within the continental US.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact the Produce Safety Program through the contact info below or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

The Emerging Farmers Working Group will meet via WebEx. Members of the public are welcome to attend and public comments can be made through the chatbox. Contact Melissa Hyslop if you have questions or need reasonable accommodation.

We invite you to the 2021 Minnesota Industrial Hemp Forum. The two-day virtual event will be held Wednesday, February 10, and Thursday, February 11, from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The event is free to attend.

Forum topics include federal and state regulations, plant breeding and agronomy, and market opportunities.