NAFDMA in Lancaster, PA
Hello all,
We’re here in Lancaster PA at the NAFDMA convention, and outside there is a blizzard!
We’re learning all about how easy it is to manage and update blogs and other forms of social media.
More to come later!
Archive for Technology
Agritourism Operators are “Going Green”
One of the most current and talked about consumer and tourism initiatives that has all of us getting more involved is “Going Green,” or as one farm calls it, “Growing Green.” Consumers today are beginning to better understand that if we don’t begin to conserve our environment and reduce our carbon footprint, we won’t be leaving this world a better place for our grandchildren.
On a recent farm survey I asked several questions related to green-friendly practices being used on agritourism farms today. An overwhelming 47.5% of the farms are recycling their plastic bottles and soda cans from their food concessions. In addition, many farms recycle cardboard and are making intentional reduction of energy usage.
As would be expected, as stewards of the land, our farming practices include everything from organic to composting to reduced tillage as ways to improve the environment.
Farms have also joined the grocery stores in selling cloth and vinyl bags for re-use of product. In fact, one farm will even give their customers 10% off of products purchased at the farmers’ market everytime they use their bag and make a purchase. The Wittamore farm in Ontario created a very attractive vinyl bag with farm graphics and intentionally sought a Canadian provider.
I recently posted an article about this survey and you can Click Here to read the full article.
Great Lakes Expo Exceed Planners Expectation
Over 4,000 farmers are now in Grand Rapids, MI attending the
Great Lakes Expo. The farm conference this week featured six multi track programs.
I am here today showing this blog as an example.
Agritourism Farms now using Social Media
Yes, it’s true! Based on a recent survey I conducted agritourism farm operators are not jumping on the social media bandwagon. Facebook was the top choice with 51.2% of the respondees participating and Twitter had 29.9%.
Two local orchards in Connecticut are actually having a friendly rivalry to see which farm can add more new members to their Facebook page by Nov. 27. For each new member added to their fan page Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery in Guilford, CT and Jones Family Farms in Shelton will donate $1 per fan to local charity. You still have time to join them for this worthwhile cause.
Chris Curtis of Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch in Champaign, Illinois truly had some success with launching his fan page. The orchard started their Facebook fan page in June and in three short months they have over 5,600 fans.
For those farms that would like to participate in my Annual Agritourism Farm Survey CLICK HERE . The survey will be open until December 20th at which time I will then summarize the results and share them with all respondees. The survey is only for farms and you can expect to take between 20 -30 minutes to complete.
It’s that time of year to count our blessings and to say thanks for all that we have. Wishing everyone a very blessed Thanksgiving.
Family Farm Co-op Sells Directly to Charlotte Restaurants
I recently came across an article in the Charlotte Observer telling about the Farmers Fresh Market that was established by the North Carolina Economic Development Center. The farm co-op is selling their products directly to chefs in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Chefs can simply log onto the co-op website to find out what is fresh and have the produce delivered direct to their kitchens within 24 hours of harvest.
This initiative is now in the third year and both the small farmer and the chefs say it’s a WIN-WIN for everyone. The small farmer is growing and delivering a broad variety of fresh produce that would not always be available and can do so on a frequent basis. Many of these farmers are even growing crops they had never heard of until they started working with the local chefs.
The chefs are excited because they are able to source local foods and some exotic offerings regularly and plan their menus based on the co-op supply of product. Many of these are high-end products that also provide a very good return for the small farmer. The program is showing these farmers that you don’t always need large acreage to produce a reasonable income.
There is no doubt that alternative marketing channels can benefit the small farmer. The Farmers Fresh Market Co-op is doing a great job of putting local fresh fruits and vegetables in the hands of local restaurants.
Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches & More on Family Farms!
The first day of October and time to plan your trip to the local pumpkin patch. I have recently spent time in both Alberta and Ontario and pleased to report that fall season offerings have grown across North America to become a favorite family weekend activity. Of course, there are many agritourism farms that still have plenty of apples ripe for picking.
Corn mazes, pig races and pumpkin cannons continue to dominate fall festivals on agritourism farms. It appears that farmers today are truly enjoying coming up with new attractions to delight their guests. Other activities that I have seen on farms this year include: duck races, tube swing, maze in an orange grove, jumping pillow, zip line, underground slide, parrot feeding, animal shows, barrrel rides, gem mining, silo climbing, kids karaoke, evening haunted hayrides, flashlight mazes, bonfires and many more.
It is time to plan your trip now to go apple picking and pumpkin picking before time gets away from you. For a listing of farms in your area that offer great fall season experiences just go to www.ruralbounty.com to find farms near you.
Agritourism Farms featured by Kansas Farm Bureau
It’s not often that we see a farm publication that gives us in-depth coverage of agritourism. However, that is exactly what the Kansas Farm Bureau magazine, Kansas Living, has done for their September issue. I invite you to view their magazine on line and read the articles titled “Just down the Road,” “Ranch Rodeo,” “Prime Picks,” or “Unhurried Hunting.” All articles provide an in depth look at what is going on in Kansas, and feature some of their top operators.
Kansas Farm Bureau Magazine, Sept. 2009
Mike Matson, the Director of Communications and Public Relations, called me early this summer to discuss this upcoming issue and to get my feedback regarding not only Kansas agritourism but to discuss agritourism in general. In fact, he included a Q & A page where he interviewed me for “Let’s Talk Agritourism” on page 15.
Kansas was one of the early states to recognize the potential for their farmers to get involved in agritourism. Of course, as we now know, every state and every province in Canada is embracing agritourism, and that is why we created the North American database directory www.ruralbounty.com and www.ruralbounty.ca for people to find these types of experiences all across our continent.
In order for our agritourism industry to thrive we all need to be constantly marketing our message. I applaud the Kansas Farm Bureau for paying tribute to these Kansas family farmers–farmers that have become part of this important value added niche we call “agritourism.” I hope to see more farm publications to do the same.
E-Mail newsletters provide agritourism farms best ROI
Just in case you have not heard of ROI before it stands for Return on Investment. It’s been substantiated that e-newsletters have become the marketing method of choice for not only big companies but also for the small companies. Why? Because it is the most cost effective method to stay in touch with your best customers.
While marketing statistics by email providers such as Constant Contact tell us that an average “open rate” of an e-newsletter is between 12 - 19%, I have found farms getting as high as a 40% open rate. As agritourism operators, we have a very close connection to our customers and they want to know - what we are picking today, what will we be picking tomorrow, what events do we have planned for this weekend etc.
Further research by Epsilon in 2008 tells us that 57% of consumers feel they have a more positive impression of companies when they receive email from them. I know farms that still aren’t utilizing this marketing tool as they should and frankly I don’t understand.
The time to start gathering email addresses is now. Whether you post a sign at the front of your market or add a box on your website for sign-ups - it’s time to begin.
E-Mail sign up table
Vote Now for “America’s Most Favorite Farmers Market”
The American Farmland Trust is hosting a national contest to recognize the “most favorite” farmers markets in America - Small - Medium and Large. If you are are a supporter of your local market and believe they deserve this recognition I encourage you to VOTE NOW. The deadline for voting is midnight August 8th.
Summer is the time when we all enjoy the local harvest and support our family farms. The American Farmland Trust is an organization that supports and wants to sustain farming in the United States. I encourage you to go to their website (whether you want to vote or not) to learn about their mission and their vision.
You can support local farmers by joing the AFT and becoming a member. When I became a member there was a bonus gift of a reusable shopping bag with the words - No Farms No Food. I use this bag proudly as I check out at my local supermarket and bag my own groceries and often get a second glance at my bag.
Yes, I’m a farmer’s daughter and proud of it! If you want to support your local farmers market VOTE NOW and give them the recognition that they deserve.
New Agritourism Lingo - Let Go Glamping!
Recently, I learned about a new travel trend on the Today Show called “glamping.” In short, it’s glamorous camping. Taking your family or special someone to a luxurious camp, yurt or covered wagon on vacation has now become popular. You can choose the pricey version for up to $2,850 per night or find other locations that might better fit your budget. There is even a Go Glamping website or Glamping Girl site that shows you a lot of vacation choices.
However, my choice for adventuresome travelers wanting a special experience would be to overnight at a farm or ranch. There any many options for overnight vacationers across North America to see the rural countryside, observe the nighttime sky, watch the animals in the fields or the crops being harvested. Check out some choices at Rural Bounty.
If you want to read the full article about “glamping” by Laura Coffey a Today Show.com contributor just go click on her article “Go Glamping! 10 tips for a budget adventure.
