Co-Sponsored by SWGLA.
Taught by Patricia Whisnant, DVM, President, American Grassfed Association.

Excerpt from Program:
"Patricia graduated from University of Tennessee in 1976 with a BS in Animal Science. She went on to veterinary school at UT and graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. She was in private practice for over 10 years before the family moved to southern Missouri where they own and operate a grass farm. Rain Crow Ranch is in Doniphan, Missouri, where they raise cattle and have a commercial hunting operation. American Grass Fed Beef, LLC was launched to market their grass fed beef directly to the consumer over the Internet. This business now ships beef all over the country direct from the farm. The Whisnant family additionally owns Fruitland American Meat, LLC, a small processing plant in Jackson, MO. This facility harvests 200 beef per week and is USDA Organic Certified and inspected and humane certified by Free Farm. They specialize in private labeling for farmers who market direct, operate a retail store at the plant and market wholesale to other meat processors, restaurants, retailers and distributors.

"Patricia has been married to Mark Whisnant since 1979 and they have six children (5 boys and 1 girl) ranging in age from 24 to 8. At present the three oldest boys have returned to the family business. Jack works in marketing, quality control and forward processing. Peter is the general manager of the plant and handles procurement. Cody is at the farm managing cattle and attends a community college.

"Dr. Whisnant is the President of the American Grassfed Association (AGA), a trade organization representing multi-species grassfed producers all over the country. Established in 2003, the AGA's goal is to promote the grassfed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education. Among the AGA's top priorities is working with the USDA to establish a legal definition for grassfed and to implement a labeling program that allows producers to get a premium price for products that meet the criteria, while providing a service to consumers wishing to buy grassfed products. The association is currently headquartered in Kiowa, Colorado. Producers of all grassfed products, food service industry personnel, health care professionals, members of the media, and consumers are all welcome to join. For more information call 1-87-77GRASS (877-774-7277) or email: aga@americangrassfed.org"

Presentation Topics Include:

• Principles of Marketing
• Resources
• Market Research
• American Grassfed Beef
• Your Market Plan