Workshop on Value-Added Opportunities

The Department of Agriculture and Marketing and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College's Centre for Continuing and Distance Education have teamed up to offer a Basics of Marketing workshop for agri-businesses looking to expand into value-added products.

The one-day workshop, on March 9, will be conducted by interactive video-conferencing from Kentville, Nappan, Halifax, Charlottetown, Sydney and Truro. Deadline for registration is March 2.

"Adding value to raw farm products through processing is one of the key growth areas in Nova Scotia's agri-food sector," said Marilyn O'Neil, a marketing specialist with the department and the workshop leader. "This workshop will provide participants with information on how to seek out new ideas, recognize opportunities, identify target markets, set prices and recognize the benefits of successful promotion."

Producing value-added products is key to helping Nova Scotia producers generate additional revenue. The export of value-added products has more than doubled since 1991, and the number of producers entering the value-added market has steadily increased over the past five years.

"Farmers are businesspeople," said Ms. O'Neil. "This workshop will add to their business knowledge by providing information on recognizing market niches, developing marketing intelligence, planning production cycles and developing a balanced marketing focus that will lead to a successful, long-running value-added business."

Guest presenter is Don Shiner, MBA, PhD, an associate professor at Mount Saint Vincent University and an associate with KPMG in Halifax. Mr. Shiner is well known for his market research and general marketing expertise.

For more information or to register, contact Ms. O'Neil at 902-893-6389.