Retail Success July 14th

The MI-SBTDC is holding an Inventory Management and Marketing Workshop in conjunction with the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce that will benefit all retail business owners.

When should you buy merchandise? What quantity? What is your pricing policy? In this seminar you will review how to calculate inventory turns, when to do markdowns, how to track sales and place buying according to category, and how to take advantage of buying discounts. Additional topics include inventory management and merchandising, sales and marketing, operations, seasonal environments, and holiday preparation. Retail Success is an advanced class for managers and owners of small to mid-size retail stores.

Ron Stevens, retail marketing expert and MI-SBTDC Senior Business Consultant, will be presenting. Ron has worked around the country with retail giants Marshalls and K-Mart. He brings extensive knowledge about retail marketing and merchandising.

WHEN: July 14, 2010 8:00am-10:00am EST

WHERE: Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce
115 W Huron St, # 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

COST: $25:00 per person

REGISTER: http://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=120300013

CONTACT: Shannon Beeman or Amy Dibble at 734.547.9170 for more information and to register!

New Michigan Farm Market & Ag Tourism Directory is now available

LANSING- Just in time for summer’s food and activity enjoyment, the 2010 Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism directory is now available.

"This statewide listing of farm markets, U-pick operations, cider mills and much more is the perfect pocket guide for those looking for farm fresh Michigan produce and specialty food products like jams, jellies, baked goods, ice cream, maple syrup and honey," said Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). "The directory also helps locate family friendly activities down on the farm, such as hay rides, petting farms, fishing ponds, corn mazes, and riding stables."

The 2010 directory was created by the Michigan Farm Marketing & Agri-Tourism Association (MI-FMAT) in partnership with Julian Vail, LLC and Farm Bureau Insurance. Copies of the directory are available free of charge at all Michigan Welcome Centers and at nearly 450 Farm Bureau Insurance agent offices across Michigan, as well as county Farm Bureau offices.

"Farm markets and agri-tourism are an important part of the agriculture industry in Michigan," said Jim Robinson, executive vice president of Farm Bureau Insurance. "As Michigan's Insurance Company, we are proud to support efforts that promote homegrown Michigan products. This directory is a guide to having fun on the farms and in the rural communities of our great state."

The directory has more farm market listings than last year's, features an alphabetical index, and has a regional tab design to help customers find the markets and products they are searching for. It also features 16 full-color pages and an availability chart showcasing when the various types of fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables produced are in season.

"The Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Association is proud to provide this directory for our customers," said Steve Tennes, MI-FMAT board president and operator of The Country Mill in Charlotte. "Michigan farm marketers are gearing up for a terrific season, and look forward to welcoming visitors to their farms to share our high quality, locally grown food and agricultural products and unique on-farm experiences."

In addition to the printed directory, farm listings can be accessed via a searchable database on MI-FMAT's Web site at www.MichiganFarmFun.com. Links to the electronic directory are also accessible from MDA's agricultural tourism Web page at www.michigan.gov/agtourism, the Farm Bureau Insurance Web site at www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com, and the Michigan Farm Bureau Web site at http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/.

For the Farm Bureau Insurance agent nearest you, visit http://www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com/. For more information about MI-FMAT and its mission and services, visit http://www.michiganfarmfun.com/.