Farm Marketing Resources

There are many farm marketing resources out there, and although this page lists a lot of them, there are a number of local resources available as well, and we cannot possibly know them all. If you are interested in purchasing local food or getting your farm or local market listed on the web, check out the resources on our Farm and Market Directory Page

• The ATTRA publications on Marketing, Business, and Risk Management “…can guide agricultural business planning and help farmers manage the amount of risk in their enterprises. In addition, some of these farm marketing resources offer advice on diversifying, developing new markets and adding value to farm products to increase income.” Most publications are free. Categories include: Organic Marketing and Labeling; Direct Marketing Options; Value-added and Processing; Business Planning and Management; Funding; Risk Management; Other Marketing Topics; and Cooperatives. Their webpage also provides links to other marketing and business information.

• SARE provides a Comprehensive List of Publications and Resources related to Marketing Strategies for Farmers and Ranchers. Their 230 page publication Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses brings the business planning process alive to help today’s alternative and sustainable agriculture entrepreneurs transform farm-grown inspiration into profitable enterprises. Sample worksheets lend a practical perspective and illustrate how real farm families set goals, researched processing alternatives, determined potential markets, and evaluated financing options. Blank worksheets help the reader develop a detailed, lender-ready business plan or map out strategies to take advantage of new opportunities.

• The University of Missouri Alternatives Center has a great list of Free Web Publications Related to Marketing Agricultural Products.

• Penn State University Extension’s Agricultural Marketing Page is a great resource with tons of information on different types of marketing from commodity sales, to wholesale, to direct markets, they cover the gamut.

• Local Harvest is a fantastic community website that provides a searchable database of farms, farmers markets, restaurants, grocery stores and co-ops selling local farm products. Get your farm listed to sell direct or promote your CSA. Or use the site to find retail outlets in your area which buy local food.

• The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has a lot of data, and some good marketing resources

• The Organic Farmers’ Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM) is a good site to get more information about marketing organic products.

• North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association is a trade association dedicated to nurturing the farm direct marketing industry.

• The AgMarketing Resource Center has a website dedicated to the development and marketing of value added products

• Tufts University’s New Entry Sustainable Farming Project offers a free 25 page Plain Language Guide to Selling at a Farmers Market.

• The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) provides lots of great information and services for farmers and consumers.
  

• Harvest Connection connects farms and families throughout Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Washington counties. You can search by distance or product and it has an “ask a farmer” feature as well. 

• Market Maker is a database connects markets and food sources from farm and fishery to fork. This is not a sales platform, but any farm can create a free profile.

• ripeCommunity is a directory of food businesses serving the local community during the COVID-19 crisis. The goal is to connect those providing food (restaurants, farms, farm businesses, grocery stores) to community members who need food and ingredients during this unprecedented time.

• Coronavirus page includes many free resources
• One-time $299-399 set up fee depending on package
• Depending on the package, fees range from $69/month paid monthly; $59/month paid yearly to $119/month paid monthly; $99/month paid yearly

• Three plan options ranging from $29/month to $99/month

• 2% of cost of delivery fee/month, only months when delivering and $100 min. 

• The signup cost is $36. That covers the account fee for the first four months. After, $9/month, plus 1-2% of sales (depending on volume)
• Responsive and personable tech support

• Offers a free basic plan and an unlimited plan for $75/month
• First month free when you upgrade from the basic plan 

• Pricing is 2% of deliveries ($150 per/month minimum), only charged during months when you are delivering 

• $79/month as listed, but only $59/month if paid YEARLY in lump sum. All plans include the website starter guide for free.
• Free 14 day trial

• $500, one-time set-up fee with 90-day money back guarantee
• $0 monthly payment; 7% transaction fee 
• Contact for a demo and to work through a cost-benefit analysis with the team.
• Starting point:
• Growing or sourcing at least 95% of share from local producers
• Minimum $25,000/year goal in sales
• 5+ years growing experience
• FSMA/GAP certifications suggested

• Free to try

• Offers three plans ranging from $70/month to $450/month 
• Refunds offered within 30 days of purchase

• Set-up $499-$999
• Monthly $79-$149

• Offers a free trial
• Three plans ranging from $14.99/month to $79.99/month

• Free set-up, no monthly fee
• 3% of your completed sales are paid on your own schedule to the developer

• 90 day free trial due to COVID-19
• Three monthly plans ranging from $29.99/month to $299/month

• Free trial
• $15 per month and up

Find more great farming resources at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/additional-farming-resources/