This class is for farmers and food product manufacturers who are interested in diversifying their income through creating value-added products. This class will be useful for business owners at any stage; from new and emerging to those with products already developed. This class will teach you how to bring a new product to market, from field to shelf.

The class will be a hybrid format with some classes taking place in-person in the PIttsburgh area, some classes taking place virtually and some happening asynchronously (learning that week's lesson on your own schedule). The first and last class will likely be in-person, with additional in-person opportunities based on the class' preferences.

While we do encourage participants to attend as many of the classes as possible, we understand that the schedule of a business owner can be variable. All virtual classes will be recorded for those who can’t make it to the scheduled time.

This class will teach you how to create a fully realized, consumer driven value added product that has the potential to sell easily and abundantly at regional markets and grocery stores. You’ll learn all necessary aspects of product development including recipe development, production, branding, marketing, merchandising, food safety and more! You’ll also have the opportunity to have a nutrition label created and become Food Safety Manager Certified.

You can decide what to pay for this class in a few ways. Think about the following when you choose your amount:

• What stage is your business in? Are you just starting up or do you already have a set income stream that would make it possible to pay for the course?

• How much is this knowledge worth to you? How quickly can you use it? Will you be able to immediately start using this class to make money, or are you just gathering information to use at a later date?

• What is the start-up capital you have set aside to launch your business or product? What payment option fits into that budget?

• Remember that this class can be considered a business expense and may be able to be written off as an expense on your taxes!

If $75 is above your budget or if you are a student, please fill out this scholarship application!

All revenue collected through the PWYC system will be used to pay speakers and enhance the learning experience for class participants.

This program is funded by the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program grant. The FMPP Grant funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct producer-to-consumer (including direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurant and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) market opportunities.

Learn more here.