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USDA Value Added Producer Grants, the cost of foods, and a breakfast barometer are among topics of this week’s free webinar sponsored by the CSU Bakersfield SBDC.

SBDC director, Kelly Bearden is joined by Dr. Aaron Hegde, professor of economics at CSUB and executive director of the university’s Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business. Dr. Hegde discusses the Grimm Family Center’s planned programs and events for 2025, opportunities for student research and field experience, and the creation of new innovations and technologies.

Bearden kicks off the webinar with a look at value-added foods industry trends and specialty foods, a recap of last week’s World Ag Expo in Tulare, and how the SBDC can help local agricultural businesses.

CEO Evelyn Young Spath talks about the Kern County Black Farmers' Association she recently founded.

This marks the 335th episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners.

The CSU Bakersfield SBDC provides free one-on-one help to small business owners. New and existing businesses can go to www.csubsbdc.com for more information or to sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost.

TIMESTAMPS -  Note: the bold blue timestamps below are direct links to when Kelly Bearden begins his discussion on USDA Value-Added Producer Grants, and when Dr. Hegde begins his presentation on Food Costs
00:00 Intro
00:37 What’s up today February 19, 2025
03:24 Poll – two-part question: In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, how many pounds of snack food (Chips and Candy) did American's purchase? AND, Which snack product had the biggest increase from the previous year?
06:27 Kelly introduces Dr. Evelyn Young Spath, CEO of Kern County Black Farmers’ Association
07:12 Dr. Spath begins to speak
08:07 Dr. Spath begins her presentation – Black farming crisis – national and local impact
08:58 Center for regional agricultural training and entrepreneurship
11:15 Target customer
12:34 Competitive differentiation
 
18:38 Kelly discusses the VAD grant application portal and help through the SBDC USDA Value-Added Producer Grants Portal
 
20:34 SBA Disaster and Recovery Program Loan Limits and options SBA website for disaster relief https://lending.sba.gov/
21:58 Free Human Resources Hotline for Employers
22:12 SBDC Tools to assist your business success!
22:28 Community Calendar: Indian Wells Valley Economic Outlook Conference Feb. 27
23:48 Kelly introduces Dr. Aaron Hegde, professor of economics at CSU Bakersfield and executive director of the university’s Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business
24:32 Dr. Hegde begins to speak
25:09 Dr. Hegde begins his presentation – Food Costs
25:39 Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business https://csub.edu/gfc/
28:14 GFCAB 2025 Spring Events
31:52 Food Away from Home Costs
33:36 Food at Home Costs
34:00 Bakersfield Breakfast Barometer
36:20 Price of Eggs 2020 – 2025
37:45 Price of Orange Juice 2020 – 2025
39:03 Price of Coffee – 2020 – 2025
40:20 Kelly rejoins guest for Questions and Answers with webinar attendees
 
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the California SBDC closest to you.