August 2020 - 7

GREAT LAKES EXPO
Online marketing a topic at 2020 Great Lakes EXPO
for any type of farm business. "
Smith's keynote, titled " Three Steps
With many farmers and businesses
having to make changes due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the digital
experience for customers has become an
area of importance. At the 2020 Great
Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market
EXPO, helping growers implement simple
strategies to maximize their marketing
and profitability will headline the farm
marketing keynote.
Charlotte Smith, owner of 3 Cow
Marketing, will be the keynote speaker for
the 2020 Farm Marketing program at the
EXPO, scheduled for Dec. 8-10 in Grand
Rapids, Michigan. Smith's unique depth
of experience, from owning and operating
a farm to her status as a certified mindset
coach, will provide growers with unique
insight into how they can utilize digital tools
to help increase their business.
" I've had a farm for 11 years, and
people are always asking how I was sold
out at much higher prices, " Smith said.
" It was because of my marketing skills.
It's what works in today's online world
We offer a
full line of
fruit &
vegetable
equipment
Cross Action Forks
Double Forks
Box/Bin Nester
Brush Pusher
Conveyors
Mechanical Bulk Loader
Universal Dump All
Weed Spray Tank
3 Pt. Forks
3 Pt. Hi Lift
Sprayers
Freight-Mate
Lift, rotate and dump up to 3,000 lbs. on
24-inch load center
Dependable, low-cost hydraulically
Operated 180˚ or 130˚ rotator
Automatic box clamp also available
* Less than half the cost of most rotators.
* Smooth hydraulic operation - no gears or ratchets
* One man can attach and disconnect the rotator
* Can be used on conventional and rough terrain
forklifts
AUTHORIZED
DURANDWAYLAND
DEALER
PROVIDING
PARTS
&
SERVICE TO ALL
OF MICHIGAN
PHIL BROWN
WELDING CORP.
4750 8 Mile Rd.
Conklin, MI 49403
* Right to left rotation easily changed by operator in
the field
* Accepts standard forks on Class II fork mount
* Allows nesting and stacking from the driver's seat
while forks are at 180˚
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVE
HOSE REEL
HOSE PULLEY BRACKETS
PALLET GRIP
Phone: (616) 784-3046
Fax (616) 784-5852
www.philbrownwelding.com
VGN | AUGUST 2020 | 7
Vassar
Phone: 989-673-6741
McBride
Phone: 989-762-5028
Battle Creek
Phone: 269-565-4426
PEOPLE
APPROACH
At Michigan Valley Irrigation, we strive to fulfill each farm's
unique needs with the best possible solution. From start to
finish, big project or small, it's our people and their approach
that make the difference. A project done right and backed
up with people who care, adds value to your business.
to Your Profitable Farm, " will help teach
farmers and growers several different ways
to capitalize on online marketing to grow
their operations and their business - from
learning the No. 1 " mindset roadblock " to
finding ideal customers that are willing to
pay higher-than-average prices.
For the " mindset roadblock, " Smith noted
that she could teach growers everything
they needed to know about marketing - but
if they didn't " believe they could do it, " it
wouldn't ultimately be profitable.
" I realized that I could teach them all
of the 'how-to,' but if they still doubted it
would work or lacked confidence, they
weren't going to do the work or show up
in a way that is going to be profitable for
their business, " Smith said. " So not only
do I coach them on the how-to, but I also
coach them on the mindset of how to lead
a profitable business. "
While Smith noted that her farm
marketing keynote would largely be
aimed at those who are selling directto-consumer,
she also said that there are
benefits across the board for growers of all
types, including wholesalers.
Both attendees and exhibitors at
conferences in the past have said they
appreciate what Smith is able to bring to
Charlotte Smith, 3 Cow Marketing, will speak at the 2020 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable &
Farm Market EXPO. Photo: 3 Cow Marketing
the table - both on a direct-to-consumer
and commercial level.
" I hear a lot that it will help their
relationships with wholesalers they do
business with, " Smith said. " I don't want to
say it's geared toward them specifically, but
I can tell you I get a lot of feedback that they
have benefitted from the sessions, as well. "
As far as attending events like
the Great Lakes EXPO, Smith said
networking possibilities, as well as the
workshops and sessions, are incredibly
important to growers of all types.
" The connections I make with others
in the industry or similar industries, is
invaluable, " Smith said. " The doors that
open whenever I get to go to a conference
or EXPO and engage in-person ... you
just can't predict the connections you'll
make and what they'll lead to. "
To learn more about the 2020 Great
Lakes EXPO, visit www.glexpo.com. VGN
Pivots.....
Equipment that makes dollars & 'sense'
and a whole lot more.
PARTS
SERVICE
www.mvi.farm
http://www.glexpo.com http://www.mvi.farm http://www.philbrownwelding.com
August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2020
