WELCOME TO THE

GEORGIA GROWN SYMPOSIUM

FEBRUARY 12-13, 2019 MARRIOTT MACON CITY CENTER

educational sessions and professional opportunties for craft food producers and agritourism operators

Georgia Department of Economic Development | Rockford Package Supply | Yancey Bros. | Kabbage Company | 365 Degree Total Marketing | Georgia Grown Trails | Georgia Organics | Georgia Industries for the Blind | Georgia Pecan Growers Association | Food Safety- Georgia Department of Agriculture | Coastal Solar Power | Plain Stated | Ambactus Group | LEM Ag & Specialty Marketing | New Creation Labels | Sunflower Apparel & Promotions | Southern Drawl Cotton

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EXHIBITORS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 127 - 8:45 AM Exhibitor Set-up Convention Ballroom

8 - 9:15 AM Registration & Breakfast

Pre-Function Area, Convention Ballroom

9:20 AM Welcome Remarks Convention BallroomDave Legasse, Chairman Georgia Grown Commodity Commission

9:30 AM Keynote Convention BallroomGary W. Black, Commissioner Georgia Department of Agriculture

10:45 - 11:45AM Breakout Session I Rooms 303 & 30612 - 12:45 PM Lunch & Networking

with ExhibitorsPre-Function Area, Convention Ballroom

1 - 2 PM Breakout Session II Rooms 303 & 3062:15 - 3:15 PM Breakout Session III Rooms 303 & 306

4 - 5 PM Closing Session Convention Ballroom

5 - 5:30 PM Last Chance with Exhibitors

Convention Ballroom

5:30 PM Exhibitor Breakdown Convention Ballroom

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 137: 15 AM Check-in Opens Hotel Lobby

7:30 AM Load Bus Hotel Side Entrance8 AM Bus Departs Hotel Side Entrance

BREAKOUT SESSION IAGRITOURISM | Room 303

Agritourism Ideas and Best PracticesJamie Stuenzi and his brother reside in Pennsylvania and are the founders of AgritourismIdeas.com, a collection of insights, ideas, and wisdom that they’ve gained through their own experience along the way, combined with the experience and resources of other agritourism experts from all over the world.

Growing Your Craft Food BusinessPanelists: Chris Olivier, Craft Food Catalyst; Jay Johnson, Ambactus Group; Michele Jaffe, Prep Atlanta

A moderated discussion of how to grow your craft food business.

BREAKOUT SESSION IIRegulatory Issues that Affect AgritourismPanelists: Steve Jones, ADA/Service Animals; Mike Copeland, Georgia Department of Agriculture GATE Inspector; Ben Pitts, Georgia Department of Agriculture Food Safety Division

Participants will get the latest updates regarding legislation that affects their operations including ADA compliance and the special rules that might be applicable to wagon rides and service animals, Georgia Ag Tax Exemption rules, and an overview of what types of licenses you might need on your farm when you manufacture food products for purchase.

Range MePanelist: Vir Satyan

RangeMe is a product discovery platform used by retail buyers to source new products for their stores. Suppliers can create free product profiles that detail all the key information buyers need to see when considering your product. Panel will consist of a guided tour of the RangeMe website and discussion of Georgia Grown’s new partnership.

CRAFT FOOD | Room 306

BREAKOUT SESSION II ICustomer ServicePanelists: Caroline Lewallen, Jaemor Farms; Rita Suiter, Mercier Orchards; Jerry Connell, Georgia Grown Trails; Matthew Kulinski, Georgia Grown

This is a catch-all session to help address some of the most common questions agritourism operators face on a regular basis: how to handle photography requests, address GMO/organic questions, handle customer complaints, proposal requests, etc. This will be an interactive session where operators can pose questions to the group anonymously and utilize the “hive mind” of fellow operators to discuss possible solutions.

E-Commerce for Craft FoodsPanelists: Erin Zwigart, Georgia Crafted; Judith Winfrey, Peach Dish; Dave Legasse, The Salt Table

A moderated discussion of e-commerce challenges and best practices for Georgia’s craft food industry.

G E O R G I A G R O W N S Y M P O S I U MFEBRUARY 12-13 | MARIOTT MACON C ITY CENTER 10:45 - 1 1 :45 AM

1 - 2 PM

2:15 - 3 : 15 PM

8 AM - 5:30 PM

Farm TourPure Flavor Fort Valley, GALane Southern Orchards Fort Valley, GA

Dickey Farms Musella, GAThe Rock Ranch The Rock, GA Special thanks to Thunderwood Nursery and Art of Landscaping for decor.

3: 15 - 4 PM Georgia Grown Snack Break & Networking with Exhibitors

Convention Ballroom

10:15 - 10: 45 AM Networking with Exhibitors

Convention Ballroom