Whether you grow a lot of food products or a little, value-added food processing is a great way to start — or expand — an ag business. Farmers and food business owners can join the San Juan County Economic Development Council and the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild to learn how to turn straw into gold in this informative and FREE 90-minute course. Participants will learn key steps in setting up a food processing business, including licensing, marketing, labeling and more.

The event will be introduced by Steph Coffey of the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, highlighting upcoming ag-related market opportunities including the new San Juan Islands Food Hub launching in late March and the cooperative branding program Island Grown in the San Juans. The workshop will be led by Victoria Compton, director of the EDC, who brings three decades of island marketing and advertising experience to the discussion. Topics covered will include the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s process for food licensing, FDA labeling requirements, marketing tips, best practices and more.

The course will run from 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 10 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor; the cost is free. For more information and to register, email info@sanjuansedc.org or phone 360-378-2906.