Is Your State MarketReady?

MarketReady Train-the-Trainer

MarketReady is a nationally-recognized program developed by Dr. Timothy Woods and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. MarketReady trains Kentucky's local growers and value-added producers through in-state programming; however, MarketReady supports the education of growers and value-added producers outside our state through Train-the-Trainer programming.

MarketReady's Train-the-Trainer programming is for technical assistance providers to increase their skills, knowledge, and tools to better assist growers and value-added producers interested in selling to larger markets. The program is fee-based and requires a two-day commitment. Day One includes a full day of training for potential MarketReady Program Trainers. Hence, train-the-trainer. Trainers are provided with a binder full of educational material to prepare them to facilitate MarketReady Programming. Day Two is a replication of our MarketReady Training Program (tailored to your state) to:

Educate growers and value-added producers on how to prepare for selling in larger markets, including restaurants, schools, grocery and retail outlets, and wholesale distribution.
Demonstrate the presentation material that trainers would present.

In the past decade, our MarketReady Team has traveled to nineteen states across the United States to deliver MarketReady programming! To the right, you'll find a map showing all the states we have visited. If your state is colored in but you want us to revisit with you, please email Savannah Columbia to schedule a site visit.

Check out some of our recent train-the-trainer visits below.

West Virginia Department of Agriculture visit in February 2025

A group of people standing in front of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture building

Nine Technical Assistance Providers Trained

Dr. Timothy Woods and Savannah Columbia trained nine West Virginia Technical Assistance Providers to lead and facilitate MarketReady Programming throughout their state during the two-day program in Charleston, West Virginia.

West Virginia MarketReady Program Participants

Dr. Timothy Woods and Savannah Columbia educated 15 growers and producers through the MarketReady Producer Training Program on Day Two of their program in Charleston, West Virginia. These growers and producers included fruit and vegetable growers, dairy and meat producers, and a variety of value-added producers.

Purdue University Extension visit in December 2024

Purdue Extension trainees, along with Savannah Columbia and Dr. Timothy Woods are pictured with MarketReady Producer Training binders

Four Purdue Extension Technical Assistance Providers Trained

Dr. Timothy Woods and Savannah Columbia trained four Purdue Extension Technical Assistance Providers on leading and facilitating MarketReady Programming throughout Indiana during their two-day program in Danville and Franklin, Indiana.

Indiana MarketReady Program Participants

Dr. Timothy Woods and Savannah Columbia educated twenty-nine growers and producers through the MarketReady Producer Training Program on Day Two of their two-day program in Danville and Franklin, Indiana. These growers and producers included fruit and vegetable growers, pasture-raised and freezer meat producers, and a variety of value-added producers.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln visit in February 2024

University of Nebraska-Lincoln MarketReady Participants

Dr. Timothy Woods and Savannah Columbia trained nine future MarketReady Program trainers and seven local food producers across two days of learning in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nebraska Innovation Campus, Food Innovation Center

Our two-day training was hosted at the University's Food Innovation Center on their Innovation Campus. Their Innovation Center was very cool to tour and a great place for learning!

Open Harvest Co-op Grocery

We had a chance to visit Open Harvest Co-op Grocery while in Nebraska. It is very similar to GoodFoods Co-op in Lexington. Seeing all the local food products in their store was great!