Lay the groundwork 2016 direct farm market production

Direct farm marketers can start anew with tips for marketing, new crops, and commercial food product development by participating in the Direct Farm Marketing Groundwork November 4.

Direct marketing of agricultural products in Michigan is big business. According to the 2012 United State Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture, 6,243 farms reported direct sales to individuals for human consumption with a value of nearly $59 million.

While harvest of this season’s crop winds down, how can growers strategize to get the competitive edge with their sales to consumers through roadside stands, farmer’s markets, and consumer-supported agriculture, or CSA’s?

Attend the upcoming Direct Farm Marketing Groundwork to explore new crop varieties, customers, and markets. Pull out the soil test and bring it along. Find out how you can further process your crop, or develop a food product to capture more value. Enroll in MarketMaker for free for greater visibility and linkages in the community.

The Direct Farm Marketing Tune-up will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 4 at the Washtenaw County Road Commission, Ann Arbor. The registration fee is $10 for enrolled MarketMaker businesses, and $20 for non-MarketMakers. Space is limited, so pre-registration and payment is requested by October 30, 2015.

The Direct Farm Marketing Tune-up is sponsored by Washtenaw County, MarketMaker, and the Michigan State University Product Center and Michigan State University Extension

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