Heartland Regional Food Business Coalition

Find Your Market: Defining and Reaching Your Ideal Audience - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-12-17 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago)
Marketing only works if it’s aimed at the right people. This one-hour class will help you get clarity on your best customers and reach them more effectively. You’ll walk away able to:
-Use data and simple tools to identify who your best customers really are
-Segment and target audiences for stronger return on every dollar spent
-Match your message and channels to the people most likely to buy
-Build a repeatable process for refining your audience as your business grows
This session is for business owners who want to stop wasting time and money and start connecting with the customers that matter most
Date: Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Cost: $5.00
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, December 15th, 2025
Registration and info: https://secure.touchnet.com/C21797_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6189&SINGLESTORE=true

Succession Planning 101 - Kansas SBDC at WSU
2025-12-18 12:00 - 13:00
The goal of succession planning is to have contingency plans to ensure that your business continues to grow despite inevitable market disruptions and personnel changes. Succession planning also encompasses your Exit Plan to sell your business for the highest value possible. This webinar will cover how and when to start a succession plan, preparing for the process, the key components of business valuation, and proven strategies to implement.
Date: Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Cost: None
Location: Online. You will receive information about how to connect.
*Registration closes at Noon on Monday, December 15th, 2025
Registration and info: https://secure.touchnet.com/C21797_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6179&SINGLESTORE=true

Online Master Gardener Training – Become a Master Gardener and join a regional chapter to volunteer in your community
2026-01-02 00:00 - 2026-04-27 00:00
The Extension Master Gardener program was established in Missouri in 1983 and provides in-depth horticultural training for Missourians who wish to share their knowledge of gardening. The mission of the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener program is to support MU Extension by providing trained volunteers to assist in public horticulture education.
This course prepares Extension Master Gardeners in topics related to soils, plant nutrition, vegetables, fruits, ornamental woody plants, herbaceous plants, plant propagation, disease and insect control, lawn care, residential landscape, environmental stewardship, and safe use of pest management strategies. Extension Master Gardener volunteers assist MU Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate, answer frequently asked gardening questions, teach through demonstration gardens, donate produce, present as speakers’ bureaus, and share information. To become trained as an Extension Master Gardener, an individual must attend core training and provide 30 hours of volunteer service back to their community.
For additional class and program information or to register: Missouri Master Gardener Online Core Training – Spring 2026 | MU Extension

IN SPANISH - Get Ready for Tax Season 2025: Small Business Workshop - Online, Free
2026-01-14 18:00 - 2026-01-21 20:00
January 14, 2026 – January 21, 2026, 6pm – 8pm

Lending

Sesión: ¿Tienes un negocio pequeño o trabajas por tu cuenta? Comienza el año con claridad y prepara tus finanzas antes de la temporada de impuestos.
Durante este curso en español, aprenderás de manera sencilla y práctica cómo organizar tus números, entender tus responsabilidades fiscales y evitar errores comunes que pueden costarte dinero.
Temas que abordaremos:

Diferencia entre impuestos personales y de negocio
Cómo declarar correctamente si eres contratista independiente o dueño de LLC
Qué cambios fiscales aplican para 2025
Cómo clasificar empleados vs. subcontratistas
La importancia de tener cuentas bancarias separadas
Actualización sobre los formularios 1099-NEC y su nuevo umbral
Beneficios y obligaciones bajo la Ley de Familias y Lugares de Trabajo Saludables de Nebraska
Consejos prácticos para preparar tus documentos y deducciones

Costo: Gratis
Cuando: Miércoles 14 de enero y miércoles 21 de enero de 2026 de 6 a 8 p.m.
Dónde: En línea
Es necesario registrarse para recibir la información de Zoom. Haga clic aquí para registrarse.
Preguntas: Contacte a Jessica Campos en jessicac@cfra.org o 402.870.1521
Patrocinado por: Center for Rural Affairs
Financiado en parte a través de un acuerdo de cooperación con la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios de EE. UU. El Center for Rural Affairs y todos los programas financiados por la SBA se extienden al público de manera no discriminatoria. Se realizarán adaptaciones razonables para personas con discapacidades y/o personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP) si se solicitan con anticipación. Tanto el Center for Rural Affairs como la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas de EE. UU. son proveedores y empleadores que ofrecen igualdad de oportunidades.

For more information: Prepárate para la Temporada de Impuestos 2025 Taller para Negocios Pequeños – en línea | Center for Rural Affairs – Building a Better Rural Future

High Tunnel Production Webinar Series: MU Extension’s Guide to Growing Specialty Crops in Tunnels for High Yields & Low Risks
2026-01-20 18:30 - 2026-04-14 20:00
Location: virtual on Zoom
Time: Tuesdays January 20th-April 14th, 6:30-8:00pm
Join University of Missouri Extension and partner institutions for a practical 12-session webinar series on growing specialty crops in high, low, and caterpillar tunnels. Learn directly from Extension specialists and researchers as they cover tunnel construction, irrigation and fertility management, pest and disease control, specialty crop production, and economics. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your tunnel production year-round, this series offers trusted, research-based guidance to help your farm thrive.
Live attendance is encouraged, but all sessions will also be recorded.
Series will be followed by in-person field days offered across the state in late spring and early summer. Locations and dates TBD.
Cost: $96-140
This course is offered with a tiered pricing model to provide greater access for all community members. To determine your course enrollment fee please review the Sliding Scale Table (https://i.emlfiles4.com/cmpdoc/9/4/0/0/9/1/files/27861_sliding-scale-fee-2026-tunnel-to-table-1.pdf) select a promo code based off of your annual household income. Use this promo code at the end of Registration to reduce your course fee.

We also offer a limited number of scholarships for those who are experiencing underemployment or similar financial challenges. If you are interested in a scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship Interest Form. Scholarships are generously offered by the Missouri SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education) Program.

Food is Medicine Webinar
2026-01-21 12:00 - 14:00
The United States Department of Agriculture and Small Business Administration is collaborating with Cox Consulting to bring to you a webinar to discuss creative market expansion based on successful models across the southeast. The webinar will focus on healthcare systems and building resilient food systems for local economic development, and regional rural prosperity.
The “Food is Medicine”, theme is broadly recognized in its importance and the impact that dietary and food patterns play in combatting many health challenges, preventing diseases, and treating medical conditions. We will elaborate on partnerships and opportunities between the healthcare and agricultural industries.
The webinar is scheduled on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. (Noon to 2pm CST). Please click HERE to register.
