The Knowledge Transfer Alliance (KTA) at the University of Maine would be highly interested in collaborating with the Maine Cheese Guild (MCG) to provide specialized expertise in business management, marketing, and personal finance and insurance to farmers and market gardeners.

Throughout the entire three days of the Ag Trade Show, KTA in collaboration with the Maine Department of Agriculture will have a stand-alone room where we will be running related workshops and hands-on training on 15 laptops for farmers with specific questions related to topics such as Excel, E-Mail, Internet Marketing, Web Surveys, Quickbooks, Farm Management, etc.

Using the Comments tools, please indicate whether there are specific topics MCG members would like KTA to present at 1) the Ag Trade show and 2) other MCG meetings during the year that would be a good fit.

Depending on the needs of the memberships of the various agricultural organizations and agencies in Maine, programs providing information in the following areas are likely:

1. Farm Business Management

1. Computers and E-Mail
2. Using Excel
3. QuickBooks & Record Keeping
4. Management Overview

2. Direct Marketing & Customer Feedback

1. Internet Marketing
2. Social Networking
3. Free Web Surveys

3. Personal Finance / Insurance

1. Managing Finances & Debt
2. Psychology of Money
3. Health Insurance

4. Other Requested Topics

–Aaron Hoshide
Adjunct Assistant Professor
School of Economics, University of Maine
206 Winslow Hall
Orono, ME 04469
aaron.hoshide@umit.maine.edu