| PROJECT SUMMARY |
The New Mexico Organic Farming Conference addressed financial risks that arise when producers lack the information and skills to: research and develop and/or diversify markets; transition/enter certified organic production and markets; keep required records to earn or maintain organic certification; use records from organic production to help with business analysis and planning.
The conference provided an opportunity for organic and other family-scale farmers and ranchers from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Utah and California to participate in a variety of workshops aimed at developing their production, planning, marketing and record-keeping skills. Most participants attended three 1-1/2 hour, and two 3-hour workshop sessions. At the workshops 47 producers completed a market development plan, 4 committed to transitioning to organic, 14 committed to adopting improved record-keeping systems, 6 committed to using their organic records to analyze their businesses and develop business plans. |
| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 431 |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Market analysis and outlook |
| Marketing strategies, plans and clubs |
| Direct, wholesale, and processing markets |
| Contract production, branded or certified marketing, and value-added enterprises |
| Financial records, analysis, and bench-marking |
| Understanding of economic risks associated with new production technologies |
| Business and strategic planning |
