GAINESVILLE — Want to know more about how to promote your agriculture-based business? You might reach more customers with a more effective presence on social media, among other tactics.

To learn more about how to use non-traditional media to promote your business, you’re invited to register for a series of webinars and companion online course modules. The four meetings start Sept. 14 and conclude Dec. 14 and are hosted by the Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement (CREE). You can view the course and watch the webinars at your convenience.

Lauri Baker, a UF/IFAS associate professor of agricultural education and communication, co-created CREE, a national, issue-focused, interdisciplinary center that generates knowledge about new-media marketing. Researchers affiliated with the center work in agricultural communication, horticulture and agricultural economics.

“Our real focus is on people who are producing and selling an agricultural product directly to the public,” Baker said. Such businesses include those who sell their crops at farmers markets, people who work with Community Supported Agriculture and those who work at nurseries. “We teach them how to address their audience and improve their bottom line.”

This year’s summit will focus on data-based suggestions to social media strategy that might help strengthen consumers’ awareness of agricultural and rural businesses. Researchers teach participants about social media algorithms and how they can help decide which channels are most effective for marketing directly to the consumer.

“We talk a lot about analytics. For example, when it is best to post to Twitter vs. Facebook or Instagram?” Baker said. “We also talk about new research on supply chains and online selling.”

The meetings – mostly online (but recorded) sessions -- may be your ticket to learning more about business promotion.

“We are hoping that the new format will offer more opportunities for people to join because of flexibility in scheduling,” Baker said. “While there are live sessions, these will also be recorded, so people can participate entirely on their own time if that is their preference.”

Register now to receive a special package in the mail before the course kicks off. To find a full agenda and to learn more, visit www.ruralengagement.org/events/insight-summit-2022/, and stay up-to-date with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ruralengagement.