Marketing to Farmers
Marketing to Farmers
The number one customer in the farmers' market is the farmer. The market must provide farmers a viable farm direct opportunity.
A market needs to have a critical mass of farmers for a successful market. This number will vary depending on the community.
How to Locate Interested Farmers
- • Send press releases to area newspapers, agriculture publications, grower's newsletters, extension service newsletters
- • Write an article for your local paper
- • Contact New Mexico Cooperative Extension service
- • Place signage in farm supply stores and other areas where farmers congregate
- • Ask local farmers for leads
- • Ask the New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission
- • Attend state farm direct marketing conferences
How to Sell Farmers on Your Market
- • Choose a farmer-friendly site with adequate off-loading space and parking.
- • Determine the market's day and time of operation based on surrounding farmers' markets schedules and what works for your demographics (will shoppers be coming home from work, out on mid-day errands, etc).
- • Mail an invitation packet including a letter of introduction and map. Follow-up the packet with a personal phone call.
- • Show farmers samples of posters, signage, street banners and press releases so they know what kind of marketing support is behind the market.
- • Ask the farmers for their opinions to encourage joint "ownership" of the market.
- • Have annual meetings such as a pre-season or harvest season potluck to share ideas, thank the farmers and build community.
