Farmer Direct Marketing Newsletter

November 1998

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Welcome to the Farmer Direct Marketing Website!

As a part of the "Farmer Direct Marketing Initiative", Marketing and Regulatory Programs is developing this new web site to facilitate and promote the dissemination of information about direct marketing to producers, market managers, consumers, extension educators, government workers and other interested persons. The site will provide a one-stop resource for those seeking information from USDA, State Departments of Agriculture, academia, non-profit organizations, trade/producer associations and other organizations.

How Can I Contribute?

This web site is going to depend on users! Please submit relevant articles, conference announcements, links to websites and organization contact information! State and local information is particularly needed. Please go to "Resources and Links" and then click on "Direct Marketing Resources by State" to see if you can contribute! Information can be emailed to:  nichole.holley@usda.gov.  Information can also be submitted by post or fax to:  Nichole Holley, Wholesale and Alternative Markets Program - USDA, Room 2644 - South, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0269 Fax: (202) 690-0031 All submissions are subject to review.

What is the Farmer Direct Marketing Initiative?

The Farmer Direct Marketing Initiative is part of the USDA's response to a number of recent studies that indicate that farmer direct marketing - growers selling their farm products directly to consumers - has been gaining popularity in recent years. This direct marketing of farm products is characterized by immediate contact between producer and consumer, smaller-scale production operations, and a highly decentralize structure. Direct marketing includes farmers markets, pick-your own farms, and roadside stands and also includes subscription farming and catalog sales. Farm products sold through direct marketing include fruits, vegetables, honey, meats, eggs, flowers, plants, herbs, spices, specialty crops, Christmas trees, and value added products such as maple sugar candies, cider, jellies, preserves, canned food, and firewood. As the initiative progresses updates will be posted here!

What is Next?

Starting in December, several regional direct marketing focus group meetings will be held to develop a more comprehensive strategy for the USDA's role in direct marketing. The first will be held in Sturbridge, Massachusetts on December 3rd.

In late December, the 1998 National Farmers Market Directory will be released. This updated version is already available on line.

There will also be several Wholesale and Alternative Markets project publications released this winter.

Check back on the site for details soon!

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