Farm Friends

I recently took a bus trip to Chicago (we live in southwest MI) for a holiday shopping trip.  I was fortunate to share the ride with a woman who had grown up on a farm, was a former 4-Her, and brought her children up through 4-H and the county fair.  We chatted the entire two hour bus ride both to and from the windy city.

It was amazing how fast we bonded having had the common farming background.  Both of us agreed that we would not change our ag background for anything in the world.  She agreed that the work ethic it instilled in both herself and her children had made them successful adults.

I agree and believe more, now then ever, it is so important to support the local family farm and farmers.  What we learn growing and harvesting crops, and raising and caring for livestock cannot be learned from a textbook.  American farms are helping to mold this country's future leaders; we need to remember this and do all that we can to keep them viable!

Give Thanks To The American Farmer

As we sit down to enjoy our Thanksgiving meals let's not forget the American Farmer for their role in growing and raising what we eat.

Nowhere else in the world is there such and abundance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats as there is in our country . . . We are truly blessed and should never forget how fortunate we are to have a viable agricultural environment.

To date there are about 2.2 million farms in the U.S.  About $547 billion is spent annually by American consumers for food grown on farms in the United States. (http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/CollegeRelations/AGRICU.htm)

Early Blizzard Could Mean A Hard Winter For Midwestern Farmers

When you're a farmer and live a life connected to the land you don't need almanacs and weather forecasts to predict longterm weather.

It's only November 18th and we are under blizzard conditions here in southwest Michigan.  We already had eight inches of snow last week, and with another ten inches last week, below 20 degree temperatures and winds to match - there's no need for a weatherman to give a heads up for the winter season to come.

I've seen the signs since late summer and we worked like crazy people to get our farm buttoned down for the winter.  It actually started in July when I started to see those Woolly Bear Caterpillars (you know the ones with the black and tan bands).  Normally I don't see them until September.  Furthermore, most of them were solid black. . . . the thinking is that the wider the tan band the milder the winter will be . . . Then, when my garden pretty much gave up the ghost around Labor Day, I said "um".  Our horses also haired up early and heavy.  Even my show mare, who was blanketed until October, put on her winter coat in days after pulling the blanket off.  Last, but not least, when most of the leaves were off of the trees by Nov. 1, I said, "yep, we're in for another long winter". 

The bad thing about an early, hard winter is the toll it can take on our perennial crops like fruit trees, grapes, hay, lavender, and herbs.  Snow, unless we get a very hard and deep snow pack, isn't as much of a problem as is sub-zero temperatures and wind chills. Unfortunately there isn't much we can do about it except prepare for some winter kill and the replacement of some of our trees, vines, or plants, etc.

 

Strong Connecton Between Local Chefs & Farmers Seen in New Mexico

On a recent trip to New Mexico I was pleasantly surprised to see the strong connection between local farmers and chiefs of the area restaurants.  There appears to be a great "field to fork" movement going on within the state. 

This trend for restaurants to capitalize on making dishes using locally grown produce appears to be very successful.  Not only are several of the local magazines promoting this connection - featuring chefs and their specialties, many restaurants avidly market the use of natively produced vegetables and meats in their dishes in their menu descriptions.  The results are apparent by the high number of patrons at these eateries.  It's obvious that the public wants to eat locally produced foods.

If New Mexico, a state that we don't normally think of when we think of as an agricultural leader in produce, could sustain such a movement other states like Michigan, California, Florida, Washington (all of which produce vast amounts of fruits and vegetables) should be able to do the same.

Hats off to New Mexico.  It was a pure delight to eat dishes featuring the state's chili pepper, raspberries, and pinion seeds as well as grass fed beef and buffalo, and fresh caught trout.

Check out some of their great magazines devoted to the "field to fork" movement:

Edible at http://ediblesantafe.com/
New Mexico Magazine at http://www.nmmagazine.com/

The Benefits Of 4-H

It's National 4-H Week.  As a former 4-H member I often credit my involvement in 4-H projects to having gone on to college to get both an undergraduate and graduate degree.  Being involved in the horse project - where I actively participated in regional, state, and national demonstration and public speaking competitions lead me to pursue a career in journalism. 

Being a 4-Her is much more then completing sewing project for spring review, or taking your horse to fair - it teaches our youth responsibility and follow-through which is crucial in today's world.

I am sure that without 4-H in my life I would have pursued a different path in life.  I hold dear the many great memories of going to fair, 4-H exploration days at MSU, and the many great leaders I had over the years.

Hold A "Thank You For Your Business" Day

With just a few weeks left in the season for many farm markets and stands it's a good time to hold a day to thank your customers for their business.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated and recognizing your customers for their loyalty will come back ten-fold next year.  Provide some simple refreshments like cider and donuts and offer a discount on purchases or a free gift with purchase.

While you have your customers one last time for the year you should also do some marketing for next year.  Have a flyer or handout with your opening date for 2015 as well as an approximated schedule of when certain fruits and vegetables will be available at your market or stand.  Of course, you can also add a coupon for next year to the flyer; this is a great way to get your customers to save it over the winter.

Economical Marketing Of Your Agri-Business: Create A Mailing List From Your Customer Base

Mailing lists can be a profitable and very affordable way to marketing any business - including an agri-business. In today's world of technology it is even more affordable to keep in touch with your customer based mailing list - because sending emails are an almost free way to market your product and/or services.

To create your mailing list you need to first gather some customer information. For an email list you really only need the customer's name and current email address.  Likewise, for a postal mailing list, you will need a physical postal address.  An easy way to gather this information is to hold a drawing for a prize, etc.  Simply put out a container (fish bowls wok well) with little slips of paper near you cash register/counter or some location in your farm stand or agri-business. Ask for the customer's name and address,  Always make sure to post the rules for the drawing and the prize (s).

Remind Customers Early Of Your End Of Season

These early cool September days, frost advisories already in Northern states are yet another reminder that we will more then likely have a short fall season and an early winter.

Now is a good time to remind your customers of the last date your stand or u-pick will be open.  Post a sign and also include a little flyer with their purchase. . . this can include a coupon on their next purchase, or a small gift if they come on closing day.

Canning Demonstrations Are Great Lure For Customers For The Last Of The Season Produce

 Based on the number of supermarkets I have seen stocking canning and freezing supplies in the past few years, more consumers are apparently interested in preserving fresh produce.  This is great news (and a great marketing opportunity) for anyone who sells fruits and vegetables.

Offering a speaker/demonstration on fall canning is a great way to get more traffic to your farm store/stand.  Even if you aren't set up do a full-fledge canning demonstration showing a hot water bath, etc. you can at least go over fruit/vegetable selection and preparation and then show the finished product.  Contact your local cooperative extension service for a home economist who can cover the basics of canning and freezing.

Here are some great canning projects to remind your customers of:

• Fall jams/jellies (peaches, plums, grape, etc.)
• Salsa
• Pickles/relishes
• Apple/pumpkin butter
• Wine/cider

You might also want to remind customers that these vegetables are easy to freeze:

• Tomatoes (great for chilli and spaghetti)
• Green beans
• Sweet Corn
• Mixed bags of vegetables:  tomatoes, zux, peppers (again, great for chilli and spaghetti)

Save The Date: March 26, 2015 for the Midwest Agritourism Conference

Don't miss this free conference at the Van Buren Conference Center in Lawrence, MI.

The conference will feature speakers and resources for starting and operating and agribusiness . . . . more specifically an agritourism business (where the public is welcome on your farm) whether it's a farm stand, a winery tour, u-pick, a pumpkin patch hay ride, etc.

Check back for more details.  If you are interested in having a table at the conference (featuring your agri-business products, etc.) please contact us at agritourismusa@gmail.com, or call (269) 657-3842.  These tables are also free.