Many local food growers and value-added producers are outgrowing their direct-to-consumer market channels, such as the farmers market, and are looking for a place to sell their products with a wider reach. However, some growers and producers are in need of technical assistance as they move into retail and wholesale markets. The MarketReady Producer Training Program, developed by Dr. Timothy Woods, aims to help growers and value-added producers selling fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meat cuts, value-added products, and more create a successful business strategy and explore large-scale marketplaces. This program has been facilitated in Kentucky for many years and is recognized nationally. Because of this, other states have reached out about hosting the training in their state and training technical assistance providers to deliver subsequent MarketReady training. 

In February of 2025, Savannah Columbia and Dr. Timothy Woods traveled to Charleston, West Virginia, to deliver a two-day program to train West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) technical assistance providers (TAPs) on the MarketReady Producer Training Program material. Upon completion of the training, technical assistance providers (TAPs) received the knowledge, tools, and support to facilitate the MarketReady Producer Training Program in their West Virginia programming.  

Nine technical assistance providers were trained at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Three of the original twelve trainees were unable to attend; therefore, Savannah left three train-the-trainer binders with the group. This was Day One of their two-day training program. 

After reading post-training evaluations, we observed that TAPs rated their confidence in the knowledge and understanding of delivering MarketReady programming at an average of 4.4 out of 5, while rating their preparedness to lead a program at an average of 3.2 out of 5. The lower preparedness rating could be improved by follow-up support and assistance along the way. The TAPs found the Key Contacts sheet, examples, event planning details, and the plug and go template for event listing and surveys to be extremely appreciated.  

As part of the train-the-trainer education, Savannah Columbia and Dr. Timothy Woods also facilitate a MarketReady Producer Training (as part of the 2025 West Virginia Small Farms Conference) for growers and producers in the local area. This was Day Two of their two-day training program.  

15 growers and producers were educated through the MarketReady Producer Training Program. These growers & producers included fruit & vegetable growers, dairy & meat producers, & a variety of value-added producers. These growers & producers are hoping to develop the following market channels in the next year: farm to school or food service, grocery and retail, restaurants, wholesale, and direct to consumer. Training attendees rated the usefulness of the overall material in the presentation at an average of 8.4 out of 10, the usefulness of the material in the binder at an average of 8.8 out of 10, and rated their likelihood of recommending the MarketReady Program at an average of 8.5 out of 10.    

There were 24 total attendees over the two-day MarketReady Train-the-Trainer program.  

Intermediate outcomes will be determined through follow-up surveys.