5.0 Marketing

CFDC of CIFN

5.0 Marketing

Marketing

“Just because you can grow vegetables, doesn’t mean you can market them.” – Dieter Dudy (Thistle Farm)

When planning which crops to grow, consider your market and how you are going to sell them. If you are growing a large quantity of a few types of crops, selling to grocery stores might be a good strategy, though they will be interested in wholesale prices. If you are selling through a CSA or the farmers’ market, you can sell whatever you have ready that week, and have more flexibility, though it is more work to sell.

“Your reputation is so important. We as gardeners give away enough as it is, you are always giving things away. If people try to get a deal, make sure you get a fair price. You are not going to make a lot of money. Your marketing strategy will depend on your geography, growing conditions, the location of your farm, everything. Know what your constraints are before you start growing; try to find a local place to sell your crops at, otherwise it can be really tough if you have to drive far away to sell your crops.” Fred Fortier (Uncle Freddy’s Hothouse)

Communication Channels

Part of your marketing strategy will be how you communicate with your customers. People love seeing photos and videos of your farm and want to follow along on your adventure. Having an up-to-date website, and social media channels (Facebook and Instagram, perhaps Twitter and TikTok) will help build your customer base and let customers know what they will be able to purchase even before they get to the market or farm stand.

: Videos on social media to see plants growing

: High quality photos of produce

: Suggesting foods to make with your crops helps!

“There is a value for buying at the right price from your local farmers, rather than going to a grocery store and saving ten bucks, when you could just be supporting the local farmers!” – Paula Cranmer-Underhill (Spapium Farm)

At the end of the day, being a farmer and selling your produce is all about building relationships with your customers; you can do that by greeting shoppers at the market, saving the chef’s favorite squash for them, or having some produce to give away as samples. It is a lot of work to grow vegetables and raise animals, but the other side of that is ensuring you have customers for them!

Dieter happily setting up for the market

“At the end of the year, think about what sells. If it doesn’t sell, then don’t grow it.” – Fred Fortier (Uncle Freddy’s Hothouse)

5.0 Marketing

Marketing

Communication Channels

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