Source: USDA FSA, 2/15/17

You are cordially invited to the 1st Annual NC Farm Service Agency Market Summit slated to take place on Tuesday, February 28th, 2017. The event will be held at the Johnston County Agricultural Center located at 2736 NC HWY 210 in Smithfield, NC 27577.

This is a half day program geared towards engaging new and beginning farmers or anyone looking to be innovative in developing their products and getting them on the shelves of NC’s markets. While geared towards new and beginning it is open to all producers. We will have representatives from our agency as well as other USDA agencies, NCDA and other agricultural stakeholders. We will also have representatives from some our states leading grocery chains and food suppliers. Please share with you networks. 

As we seek to continue growth in NC agriculture and support the next generation of farmers, the question of how we ensure market access and success for producers of all sizes is critical. USDA is bringing stakeholders across the supply chain together for discussions on both the current challenges and opportunities within the state to examine these marketing, processing and business opportunities.

What are the major barriers for producers, processors, buyers and others in the supply chain? Can consumer demand and an increasing interest in transparency support producers of all scales and sizes? How can small and specialty producers scale up and access new markets? What kinds of innovations and solutions would solve current barriers? How can USDA help?
This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. For more information and to reserve your space please Contact Nimasheena Burns at 919-875-4857 or Nimasheena.Burns@nc.usda.gov by Friday Feb, 17th, 2017. 

Can’t wait to see you there!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nimasheena N. Burns, MPA, CFSW
Public Affairs and Loan Marketing Manager
United States Department of Agriculture
Farm Service Agency
State Office of North Carolina
919-875-4857
Nimasheena.Burns@nc.usda.gov