Knowing your customer base and how to appeal to them is crucial to being a successful and sustainable small business. Get help with marketing strategies from the following resources.
Agritourism
Agritourism Training Materials
This curriculum was designed to provide detailed training resources for agricultural professionals and farmers interested in expanding their income sources and entering the agritourism industry.
Farm Stay U.S. Website
This farmer-created, consumer-oriented website lists hundreds of farms and ranches around the country that offer accommodations.
Northeast Agritourism Collaboration
This website provides resources for producers interested in entering the agritourism business.
Community Outreach
Cheshire Labor and Infrastructure Needs Assessment
Research in Cheshire County, NH to determine how to promote the economic viability of local farmers.Download File (763.26 kB)
Community-Based Food System Assessment and Planning
This guide was created to help communities conduct their own food system assessment and provide them with guidance on planning the development of a local food system.Download File (4.83 MB)
Creating Change in the Food System: The Role of Regional Food Networks in Iowa
Case study of an effort to build local and regional food commerce using a community of practice.
Farm to Fork in North Carolina
This guide provides key action ideas for building a sustainable food economy in North Carolina.Download File (5.44 MB)
Metropolitan Foodshed Toolkit
A toolkit of strategies to support the evolution of a sustainable Portland Metropolitan Foodshed.Download File (3.70 MB)
Mount Pleasant Local Food and Farm Assessment
An assessment of the needs and opportunities associated with developing a regional food system.
Sustainable Food Purchasing Guide
This guide was written to help institutions determine how to source more sustainable food options.Download File (294.47 kB)
Sustainable Food Systems for Georgia’s Agrarian Future
This report analyzes the need for food hubs in Georgia to help facilitate a regional food system.Download File (2.09 MB)
Additional Resources
The following resources, which were not funded or produced by SARE, contain valuable information.
The City Food Sector Scan (a suite of urban planning and investment resources by the Wallace Center)
Community Food System Resources (SAREP's Bibliography on local and regional food systems)
Southeast Minnesota Foodshed Analysis (a University of Minnesota webinar)
Market Planning for Local Food Sales
Direct Marketing for Farmers and Ranchers
The Imperial Stock Ranch increased profits by using direct, value-added marketing of wool products.
Food for Profit Online Training Course
Training for future entrepreneurs on planning a feasible, marketable and profitable food business.
A Guide for Hawai’i’s Farmers
This guide was developed to assist new farmers in tropical small-island settings.Download File (422.53 kB)
How to Direct Market Your Beef
How to Direct Market Your Beef portrays how one couple used its family’s ranch to launch a profitable, grass-based beef operation focused on direct market sales.Download File (1.92 MB) | Online Text Version
Livestock Enterprise Comparative Decision Support Toolkit
Guides ranchers through entry level decision-making about small scale livestock enterprises.
Livestock Marketing Channel Assessment Tool
This tool provides livestock producers with a way to identify the most profitable marketing channels.Download File (90.16 kB)
Marketing for Profit Curricula
Curricula developed for individuals interested in offering a comprehensive marketing training program for farmers market managers and farmers.
Marketing On-Farm Compost
This resource includes best practices for quality compost, and information on compost markets.
Marketing Strategies for Farmers and Ranchers
This bulletin offers snapshots of alternatives to marketing commodities through conventional channels.Download File (1.41 MB) | Online Text Version
MarketReady Educational Resources
MarketReady prepares food producers to sell directly to consumers and wholesale buyers.
University of Nebraska SARE Agri-Marketing Website
This is a web toolbox to support the SARE AgriMarketing Professional Development Program.
Local Marketing of Niche Products
Organic Broccoli Production Manual
Steps that farmers took to scale up organic broccoli production to meet local wholesale demand. Download File (152.68 kB)
Growing Grapes in Hawaii
The basis for this project was to show that grapes could again become a viable crop for Hawaii growers at low elevations. This addition of a crop, in demand by chefs, could greatly contribute to small farm sustainability.The history and horticultural needs are outlined in this extension publication, as are basic marketing needs and nutritional information.Download File (5.83 MB)
Production and Marketing of Beach Plum, a Heritage Fruit Crop
Beach plum (Prunus maritima Marsh) is one of several shrubby plums native to North America. The jams produced from this fruit command premium prices at farm stands and specialty markets, even in comparison with jam made from other locally grown fruit. However, the wild-collected supply of fruit does not meet this niche market’s demand.
Download File (527.43 kB) | Online Text Version