Promotion

While the Internet plays an important role in business today, its significance is about to explode. According to a recent survey by International Data Corporation, sales influenced by the Internet, either purchased online or directly influenced by research conducted on the Internet, account for 17% of all sales in the U.S. According to Jupiter Communication, US online consumers will spend in excess of $632 billion in off-line channels as a direct result of research that they conduct on the Web in 2005, dwarfing the $199 billion that consumers will actually spend on the Internet.

Any marketing method whereby farmers sell their products directly to consumers. Examples include roadside stands, farm stands, U-pick operations, community-supported agriculture or subscription farming, farmers' markets, etc. Growers who market their products directly to customers usually receive a higher price than those who sell wholesale.

Producers often think of their sales in terms of marketing outlets - farmers markets, CSA shares, farm stands, restaurants and institutions, and retail outlets. But there is also substantial sales potential with clients that may be using alternative forms of payment. These include EBT cards with SNAP benefits, senior coupons, market bucks, or other market incentives to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Agritourism refers to the act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education, or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation. Agri-tourism is increasingly popular in farming communities near urban areas.

The Trending Enterprises in Maryland Module contains resources for trending enterprises in Maryland.

Chapter 3: Marketing challenges and opportunities is part of the online publication "From Surviving to Thriving: Strategies for Urban Farm Success. There are many marketing opportunities for urban farmers. When agriculture can take place literally in the customer’s backyards, this high visibility in a populated area can attract a wide variety of customers. Urban producers still face the challenge of competing with farmers from peri-urban areas that have more land, can produce greater volumes of product, and have lower cost of production.

This directory is developed jointly by the Niche Meat and Poultry Producers and the Ag Marketing Program of the University of Maryland Extension. This directory serves as a way to connect buyers, consumers, producers, and market masters to fresh, high-quality farm-raised meats from Maryland producers. For ease of aggregating suppliers, this directory has been organized by product, though many producers offer multiple products. If a listing includes “USDA,” it applies only to Beef, Bison, Chevon, Lamb, and Pork.

Are you a specialty food entrepreneur? If so, check out the Food Processing in Maryland module. This invaluable module provides information about how to sell and process food in Maryland. This module will include rules for specific foods and important regulatory information. Our interactive map of Maryland's regulatory environment provides you with location-specific contacts.

This webpage is part of the Maryland Niche Meats & Poultry Producers Online Directory.

This webpage is part of the Maryland Niche Meats & Poultry Producers Directory.