Sell What You Grow “Market your Products… Locally and Regionally” Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching

The Basics of Direct Marketing  Capture more of the profit  Reduce agricultural risk  Develop unique product identity

“Direct to Consumer” Connection  This works to the advantage of both Both develop relationship – TRUST Producer can provide fresh product tailored to customer needs Customers can provide input to grower and refine the product line based on what they purchase

People are seeking out locally grown products.

Direct Marketing Skills  “Relationship marketing” - need people skills  More intensive management  Produce the highest quality of product

Ways to Market your Products  Farmers’ markets  U-Pick  Farm stands  Ag Tourism  Community supported agriculture  Grocery stores  Restaurant  Food Banks  Farm to School  Food Hubs  Internet

Farm Stands Customers develop loyalty to the farm Consider costs to build your “stand” structure No transportation cost

 Think about location and traffic flow  Familiarize yourself with regulations governing food products Farm Stands

Community Supported Agriculture  Subscription farming What? How often? Where? Cost?  Requires advanced planning  w_food_skagit/CSA.html w_food_skagit/CSA.html

Check out Helsing Junction Farm at

Puget Sound Food Hub  Post what you have  Drop off at agregation sites  Requires Liability Insurance

Upscale restaurants and specialty stores pay top dollar for quality produce and hard-to-get items. Direct Sales to Restaurants Farmer Fisher Chef Connection, March-Seattle Farm to Table Trade Meeting Feb. 22 nd -Bellingham Marketing to Restaurants Feb. 3 rd and 4 th Mount Vernon

Marketing to Restaurants February 2nd and 3rd, 2016

Farm to School  USDA Pilot Project in Washington  Taste WA Days aste-washington-day aste-washington-day  Requires Food Safety (GAP) certification

U Pick Operations:  Good signage location  Targeted advertisement  Effective answering machine message  Creating a pleasant and safe setting for families

U Pick Operation Requirements:  Liability insurance  Space for parking  Ability to supervise customers  Farmside manners

Ag Tourism  Agri-tourism or Entertainment farming  Great diversity in what farms can offer  Provides an “on-farm” experience

Agritourism    

If considering an Ag Tourism enterprise… Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) has an excellent publication

Let the Internet work for you  Promote your products and availability  Sell your products  Have your own web site or get listed in a online guide or directory

Farmers Markets  One of the most common methods of getting your product to the people who want to buy it  Good starting point – can help develop customer base for other methods such as subscription sales (CSA).

Accepting other currencies:  Credit Cards- Square  Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons- WIC and Senior  EBT- through the market or separately

To learn more about farmers markets, visit: seattlefarmersmarkets.org

Resources  WSDA Greenbook greenbook/ greenbook/  USDA Farmer Direct Marketing  North American Farm Direct Marketing Assn.