Growing Mississippi’s Local Foods Industry Webinar Series
Webinar Series 2018-2019
Each Zoom webinar starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. CST.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
GROWING THE INDUSTRY
Consumer Insights and Food Policy Update
March 21, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Dr. Alba Collart
Production Planning in Local Food Systems: Food Hubs, Coops, and Farmers Markets
March 29, 2019 • 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CST
Dr. Elizabeth Canales
April 11, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
Understanding Mississippi’s Local Foods Industry: Part II
April 25, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
PAST WEBINARS
BRANDING YOUR BUSINESS
How to Clarify Your Brand Message for Your Food Business
November 8, 2018 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
A Roadmap to Successfully Branding Your Local Food Business
November 15, 2018 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
How to Build a Profitable Food Business Brand in 11 Easy Steps
December 6, 2018 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
Growing Your Local Foods Business Brand
December 13, 2018 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels, James Barnes & Andy Collins
ONLINE MARKETING MADE EASY
5 Ways to Grow Your Local Foods Business with Facebook
January 10, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Lauren Colby Nickels, James Barnes, Andy Collins & Rachael Carter
7 Ways to Launch Your Local Foods Business with Instagram
January 24, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Lauren Colby Nickels, James Barnes, Andy Collins & Rachael Carter
How To Grow Your Local Foods Business with a Website and E-mail Marketing Strategies
January 31, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Andy Collins, Lauren Colby Nickels & Rachael Carter
GROWING THE INDUSTRY
Understanding Mississippi’s Local Foods Industry: Part I
February 7, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
Understanding Mississippi’s Local Foods Industry: Part II
February 14, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
James Barnes, Rachael Carter, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
Taking Action to Grow Your Local Foods Industry: Part I
February 21, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Rachael Carter, James Barnes, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
Taking Action to Grow Your Local Foods Industry: Part II
February 28, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Rachael Carter, James Barnes, Lauren Colby Nickels & Andy Collins
How To Plan Local Food Production for a Food Hub and a Surrounding Network of Agricultural Producers
March 14, 2019 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Dr. Elizabeth Canales
Webinar Speakers

Dr. James Barnes is an Extension economist. His work largely focuses on business development in communities using three Extension programs, including: 1) Bricks-To-Clicks™; 2) Local Food System Economies; and 3) Local Flavor. He is a certified marketing guide and copywriter for StoryBrand, an online marketing framework used to help businesses clarify their marketing messages so customers will listen. He teaches online marketing using StoryBrand's framework to businesses throughout Mississippi communities. His research focuses on branding, online and social media marketing, agribusiness management, local food system economics, and rural development issues.

Dr. Rachael Carter is an economist for the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Government & Community Development. Her work focuses on economic development, natural resource policy, tourism and local foods marketing through her Extension program, Growing Your Brand. She has worked for over 15 years in community and economic development and she provides analysis and education for elected officials at the city, county, state, and national level. She has led multiple statewide and regional economic development initiatives and worked with National Main Street Center’s community revitalization projects and education programs.

Lauren Colby Nickels is an Instructor for the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Technology Outreach. During her two years with MSU-ES CTO, she has specialized in digital technology outreach and online marketing using web and social media outlets. She is one of 3 Instructors in Mississippi who teach nontraditional workshops on the importance of digital technology. She has been selected for numerous public speaking opportunities to engage business owners and organization leaders on the importance of digital marketing, outreach and cyber security through the Virtual Incubator Program.

Andy Collins is an Instructor for the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Technology Outreach. He has seven years of experience in helping the state of Mississippi participate in the digital economy by using broadband and information technology to further community and economic development opportunities. He has worked with hundreds of small businesses, non-profits, and government organizations to improve or create their web presence. Andy is very active in increasing rural broadband adoption through an increase of digital literacy levels and assisting in bringing Internet access to communities. He received his Bachelor of Business Management and MBA from Mississippi State University and is a lifelong Mississippian.
This webinar series is powered by the following MSU Extension programs:
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Vegetable growers soon will have two chances to learn about managing pests on produce in greenhouses and high tunnels.
The one-day workshop Vegetable Pest Management in High Tunnels and Greenhouses will be held at two locations: the Mississippi State University Extension Service Forrest County office in Hattiesburg on Aug. 30, and the MSU Extension Lafayette County office in Oxford on Sept. 1.
Some canning mistakes can be deadly if your products are contaminated by the botulinum toxin, which causes botulism poisoning. You cannot see, smell, or taste this toxin, but the tiniest taste of contaminated food can kill you. You want to avoid these 10 major canninng mistakes.
POPLARVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi blueberry producers expect to see substantial yield losses in the state’s largest commercial fruit crop after the hard freeze that hit the state on the weekend of March 18. Eric Stafne, fruit and nut specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said growers will see significant losses. The condition of the crop is poor based on what commercial growers are reporting to him and his observation of damage to blueberry plants at the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville, where he is based.
Have you considered becoming a vendor at your local farmers market? It’s important to do some research, check regulations, and make a plan before you begin a business or begin selling your products at one.
These tips can help you create a plan for selling at farmers markets and other similar venues.
POPLARVILLE, Miss. -- Current and prospective market vendors can learn valuable marketing skills in a Feb. 9 workshop in Poplarville. Farmers Market Vendor Workshop: Boosting Your Revenue will teach participants valuable skills to help them increase sales. The workshop is open to vendors who sell at festivals, farmers markets and other similar venues.
Success Stories
The Excellence in Tourism Leadership Program is training volunteers, employees, and board members involved in Mississippi’s tourism sector and related organizations as they build networks with fellow tourism professionals.
Bricks to Clicks provides free, low-cost, and easy-to-use marketing resources to help small businesses grow their audiences and income. Free marketing resources include a website course, one-on-one coaching, webinars, podcasts, a blog, and a bimonthly newsletter. With these marketing resources, business owners can get personalized guidance backed by decades of marketing experience to drive online awareness and engagement to increase sales.
VIP help female business owner reach online customers
After Becky Tatum acquired Delta Grind in 2008, she wanted the wholesale cornmeal production business to remain true to its roots, but she also had her own vision for what it could be.
See what's new in Extension: Gather for First Extension Beef-Production Workshop, the Food Factor Goes Digital, Extension Professionals Share Expertise, and Extension Offers New HappyHealthy Program.
From the youngest to the oldest generations, thousands of people are visiting, shopping, and enjoying themselves at the Hernando Farmers’ Market, held Saturdays on the historic DeSoto County Courthouse lawn.
The market has more than just fresh produce. It connects the community by uniting the shoppers, producers, and artisans who come.