Features Associations Business
Marketing your farm topic of workshop

February 7, 2011,
Charlottetown, PEI – Farm businesses interested in ideas and information on
direct marketing, agri-tourism, customer service and social media should plan
to take in one of two workshops offered by the Prince Edward Island Department
of Agriculture.

February 7, 2011,
Charlottetown, PEI – Farm businesses interested in ideas and information on
direct marketing, agri-tourism, customer service and social media should plan
to take in one of two workshops offered by the Prince Edward Island Department
of Agriculture.

The workshops will
feature international speakers and agricultural marketing experts Lani Medina
Weigert and Pomai Weigert as they describe marketing ideas and concepts that
can help producers market their whole farm.

Lani and Pomai, a mother
and daughter from Hawaii, are the presenters at a full day workshop (9 a.m. to
4 p.m.) scheduled for February 21 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, and a
morning workshop (9 a.m. to noon) to be held at Slemon Park Inn on February 22.

This is the first time
the Weigerts are presenting workshops in Canada. They bring a wealth of
information to their presentations. Lani is a co-owner of Ali’i Kula Lavender,
and has more than 30 years of experience in tour and hospitality marketing. She
understands how to market and evoke a connection with her customers through
marketing a lifestyle rather than a single product. She is the president of the
Hawaii AgriTourism Association.

Pomai is the marketing
and community relations coordinator for the farm. She will be delivering the
website and social media training segments of the workshop.

Ali’i Kula Lavender is
Hawaii’s premier lavender farm. In addition to growing more than 45 varieties
of lavender, the farm features a line of lavender products, culinary luncheons,
garden teas, narrated garden tours, a gift shop and wreath-making events. The
farm’s business model is a value-centered philosophy rather than
profit-centered.

“It is our social
responsibility to offer an experience that allows people to reconnect to the
land, to each other and to themselves,” said Weigert.

The workshops will
include information on the following:

• expanding revenue
  opportunities beyond the season for less;
• why customer service is
  a key to growing the business;
• learning how to turn
  e-commerce and social media into vital marketing tools; and
• grassroots marketing –
  learning to collaborate for profits.

The cost to attend the
workshop is $30 per person (lunch included) for the day-long workshop, and $10
per person for the morning session. Space is limited. Pre-registration is
required and accepted on a first-come basis. Register by contacting the
Agriculture Information Desk at 1-866-PEI-FARM.