Marketing, Outreach, and Waste Management

This unit teaches students to convert farm byproducts into marketable goods, manage hazardous and nonhazardous wastes safely, and engage their communities through events, tours, and education. It builds on production and animal care fundamentals and prepares students to operate a compliant, community-oriented hobby farm and to communicate effectively with customers and the public.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze animal- and plant-byproduct streams to identify at least two viable value-added product ideas and outline regulatory, labeling, and safety requirements for each
• Apply safe handling, storage, and disposal procedures for oils, chemicals, metals, and other on-farm wastes in accordance with applicable California guidelines
• Demonstrate strategies for direct marketing and community engagement (county fairs, farmers markets, farm tours, petting farms, festivals) by developing a one-page participation plan and sample sales or exhibit materials
• Evaluate common rural stereotypes and design a 5–10 minute outreach presentation or tour script that corrects misconceptions and promotes community partnerships, including a bibliography of books, magazines, websites, and organizations