Choosing where to sell your products is one of the most important business decisions a producer can make. In this episode, host Dr. Ahlishia Shipley talks with Dr. Becca Jablonski, faculty member at Cornell University and agricultural and food systems economist, about the many market opportunities available to producers. Together, they explore direct-to-consumer marketing, intermediate markets, and the realities producers should consider when selecting a marketing pathway. Drawing from her research, Dr. Jablonski shares practical insights to help producers make informed decisions about where to take their products to market, while highlighting how investments in local and regional food systems can create new opportunities for agricultural businesses.

Value-added agriculture isn't just about creating a new product, it's about creating new possibilities. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Long shares how stronger markets, strategic partnerships, and resilient food systems can create opportunities for producers and communities alike.

Listeners will also discover the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), a national hub for market information, business planning resources, and research that supports informed decision-making across the agricultural sector.

In this episode, host Ahlishia Shipley sits down with Grant Gardner, Agricultural Economist and Extension Specialist at the University of Kentucky, to simplify the world of commodity markets and commodity marketing. Grant explains why commodity prices change, how factors like weather, transportation, global trade, and market expectations influence the prices producers receive, and shares practical marketing strategies to help manage risk. He also discusses the importance of developing a marketing plan, identifying trusted sources of market information, and making informed decisions that support long-term farm profitability.