The 2010 Advanced Learning Retreat at Underwood Farms is only a month away.
This year's tour FEATURES:
School Tours
Pick Your Own Produce Retailing Fall Farm Festivals Succession Cropping
On-Farm Birthday Parties
Selling at Farmers' Markets Marketing and Advertising
Financial Management
Farm Animal Center CSA Programs
It's a busy time in our industry all across the continent.
We kept the focus on developing this as a 4-day, 3-night get-away from the moment you leave home to the time you are back in your own bed.
We wanted to pack that time with productivity and enjoyment. So here's about what it looks like...
Saturday, May 15
You'll jump on a plane (or in a car)
Arrive into Los Angeles International Airport.
Take the 10 minute free shuttle to Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel.
Settle to your beautiful room.
Connect with a few peers for dinner at your own convenience.
Attend registration reception and an opening welcome and presentation at 7:00 p.m.
Mill around until bed time and enjoy your luxury bed for the night.
Sunday, May 16
Have breakfast, check out, board the bus, ride a half hour, fast-paced introductions.
Stop at Hollywood Farmers' Market, see a plethora of California products, enjoy about 100 different local farm vendors, visit the Underwood Family Farms booth, Celebrate the 19th anniversary of Hollywood Farmers' Market, enjoy sights and sounds of Hollywood, see the famed Hollywood sign, do a bit of Hollywood's famous Walk of Fame, and re-board the bus.
Ride to Underwood Family Farms Moorpark location viewing a bit more of Hollywood, Sunset Strip, and beautiful Southern California vistas while learning more about Underwoods' farmers market stream of business as well as their film locations on the farm.
Arrive at the farm and stretch your legs with a self-guided tour of the Animal Center.
Take a guided tour and wagon ride to see every aspect of this location ending with Underwood Family Farm Animal Show. Choose one of 4 different breakout groups on specific areas of interest for 90 minutes of advanced learning. Re-group together for networking and a California style tri-tips BBQ Dinner in the corporate events and picnics area of the farm.
Re-board the bus for a 15-minute ride to Camarillo Marriott Courtyard Hotel, visit by the pool or in the lounge until you must drop horizontally into your plush bed.
Monday, May 17
Have breakfast, check out, board bus, ride 20 minutes to the Somis Farm location to see the retail stand, blueberries and vegetable-washing pad.
Return to Moorpark location for 2 more concurrent sets of small group intensive breakout sessions.
Say goodbye to Moorpark as we drive 15 minutes to Underwood Farms Office complex in Camarillo.
Take in a general session by Suzanna Underwood and Kim Galbraith on marketing and advertising, followed by a Mexican lunch by El Gallo Restaurant.
Tour the office and refrigeration complex and learn about the 1400 acre produce business of Underwood Ranches.
Settle in for an amazing advanced learning hour by Rolf Shoen and Craig Underwood on Underwood Farms sophisticated management systems based on financial management techniques that tell a story of growth, evolution and shifting with the times.
Wrap up the learning time during a gorgeous drive along the Pacific Coast.
Stop at the beach house of John and Stephanie Orr, personal friends of Craig and Sara Jane Underwood, for an informal taco bar and guacamole dinner reception on the waterfront.
After an early evening of seaside enjoyment and visiting we'll board the NAFDMA ALR Express one last time for a California Freeway run back to our original Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel for a beautiful recovery sleep.
Tuesday, May 18
Enjoy breakfast one last time on your own schedule with a few new friends, expand your peer network.
Depart at your convenience as early or as late as you wish.
Safe travels, enjoy the night in your own bed, and enjoy happy dreams about the great new ways your farm and business will be impacted by your visit to NAFDMA's 2010 Advanced Learning Retreat hosted by Underwood Family Farms in Ventura County, California.
The entire package is all-inclusive. $695 per person covers 3 nights hotel (double occupancy), 2 full days of meals plus breakfast on your departure day, all motor coach costs, materials and the rest. You just have to get here. (If you're not able to double your money back from a single idea you got at Underwood Family Farms within the first 6 months after you return home, then please take that up with Russell Blades.)
Complete Printable Registration Packet and Details are now avialable.
www.nafdma.com
BLOCK YOUR DATES: May 15 - 18, 2010; includes your travel time.
LOCATION: Southern California: Plenty of time at Underwood Family Farms in Moorepark and Somis, CA to see festival sites, retail stands, production fields and all the farms have to offer; plus a visit to Hollywood Farmers' Market (yes, Hollywood!) ...see the sights, sounds, Walk of Fame, and shopping sensations of one of the most exciting cultural destinations in North America.
TRAVEL: Fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on May 15 (Please make an effort to arrive by 5:00 p.m.) Depart at your own convenience anytime on May 18. LODGING: Renaissance Los Angeles Airport and Marriott Courtyard Camarillo
BONUS: California Beach Party Monday night, May 17th.
Quick Links
Underwood Family Farms
Renaissance Hotel LAX
