Modules
Here you will find copies of Teachable's lecture content and exercises along with links to required readings for each module. Download these documents (click "File>download" from the tab on the upper left of the document) and save to your desktop to complete the exercises.
Please use the course table of contents to easily navigate to your module of choice.
For the online class visit: https://umeagfs.teachable.com/courses
Getting Started: How to use Risk Management to Plan for Success
Guest Spotlight: How Maryland Department of Health Fits into Your Food Business
Food Safety Jargon
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
University of Maryland Eastern Shore: Help with Drying Herbs in Maryland
Land Grant Universities: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia Tech
Maryland HB0178 Changing Revenue Cap for Cottage Food Businesses May 2022.pdf
Exercises
Instructions: think about the product you are making and determine hazards and/or license requirements that pertain to your product.
The Product Development Process
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Exercises
Instructions: copy and paste the link you’ll find at the top of the page in a new browser window to get started drafting your marketing plan.
Instructions: if you are having trouble accessing the Qualtrics link above, you can manually fill out a marketing plan with this document.
Instructions: having trouble filling out your draft marketing plan? Check out our completed example!
Using Market Research to Develop Your Product
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
Marketing Research Basics: Identifying Your Target Market
A Do-It-Yourself Producer’s Guide to Conducting Local Market Research
Scaling up
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
Food Processing Authority List for the Mid-Atlantic
Association of Food and Drug Officials Food Processing Authority Directory
Food Testing Labs at Virginia Tech and Cornell
Allergens and Your Product
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
Maryland Dept. of Health Office of Food Protection Food Allergy Awareness
FDA FASTER Act Video for Food Industry and Other Stakeholders
University of Nebraska Food Allergy Research and Resources Program
Exercise
Instructions: think about if any of the allergens talked about in lecture are in your proposed food product. Use this exercise to write how you would manage those hazards.
Labeling Your Product
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
MDH Office of Food Protection: Cottage Food Business (Fillable) Labeling Guide (4/2022)
University of Nebraska Food Allergy Research and Resources Program
Exercises
Instructions: In this exercise, you will construct a draft label for your product.
Case Study: Rise by Brianna
Pricing Your Product
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
Market Ready Farm to Restaurant: A Conversation About Pricing, Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension
Determine Your Contributive Margin Before Setting Your Price
Exercises
Instructions: Use this table to detail information about competitors in your current market.
Instructions: Walk through this example to apply what you have learned about pricing.
Marketing
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center
Exercises
Farm Business Planning
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
Maryland Agriculture and Resource-Based Industries Development Corporation
Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA)
Exercises
Instructions: Write out strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for better business planning.
Instructions: Write out specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound goals and start developing an action plan to meet those goals.
Instructions: Review this workbook.
Financing and Recordkeeping for Your Enterprise
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Resources and Readings from Lecture
Maryland Agriculture and Resource-Based Industries Development Corporation
Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA)
Exercises
Instructions: Use this exercise to familiarize yourself with common financial tasks needed for your business.