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Crop Production Plan Pair up and discuss last weeks homework:

This article discusses crop production planning and ways to market agricultural products locally and regionally. It includes information about direct marketing options, such as community-supported agriculture (CSA), farm-to-school programs, direct sales to restaurants, farmers' markets, U-pick operations, and ag tourism. It also provides resources for further information.

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Crop Production Plan Pair up and discuss last weeks homework:

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  1. Crop Production Plan Pair up and discuss last weeks homework: • Share what type of farm you are thinking of- (vegetable/fruit trees/livestock?) (homestead/business?) • What are some resources that you used to find information related to crop production plan? • What information are still looking for? In response: • Do you have suggestions of resources your partner can use? • Are there any other details your partner should plan for?

  2. Ways to Market your Product Locally and Regionally Sell What You Grow Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching

  3. The Basics of Direct Marketing • Capture more of the profit • Disperses market risk • Develop unique product identity • Increase consumer-farmer connection and provide product feedback www.sare.org

  4. Direct Marketing Options • Community supported agriculture (CSA) • Grocery stores, Restaurant, Food Banks • Farm to School • Cooperatives or Food Hubs • Farmers’ markets • U-Pick • Farm stands • Ag Tourism • Internet

  5. Community Supported Agriculture • How it works • Benefits • Payment occurs at the beginning of season • Quantity harvested is guaranteed sale • Challenges • Requires advanced planning • Experience in production • Distribution

  6. Check out Helsing Junction Farm athttp://www.helsingfarmcsa.com

  7. Farm to School • Howit Works • Benefits • Contract sales • Efficiencyofscale (production) • Healthy produce tokids • Challenges • RequiresFood Safety (GAP) certification • Lower Price per unit • Hardmarkettogetintofor new business http://www.wafarmtoschool.org/

  8. Direct Sales to Restaurants • How it works • Benefits • Price maker instead of taker • Interest in unique product • Direct communication with single buyer • Challenges • Schedule • Particularity of buyer Farmer Fisher Chef Connection March-Seattle Farm to Table Trade Meeting February-Bellingham

  9. Farm Stands • How it works • Benefits • Low transportation cost • Extra sales location • Challenges • Product loss • Everyday display=everyday harvest • Payment- staff or honor system • Location and regulations

  10. Puget SoundFood Hub (Farmer Cooperative) • How it works • Benefits • Low transportation cost • Increases sales marketing area • Price setter not taker • Maintain farm brand to buyers • Challenges • Requires Liability Insurance • www.campbellriskmanagement.com • Requires internet and marketing knowhow • Application required and farm competition www.pugetsoundfoodhub.com

  11. Farmers Markets • How it works • Benefits • Develop customer base • Receive full retail value • Customers come to you • Communicate growing practices direct to consumer • Challenges • Labor and time • Product loss • Competition • Requires customer service skills • Every market is different

  12. To learn more about farmers markets, visit: www.wafarmersmarkets.com seattlefarmersmarkets.org www.bellinghamfarmers.org www.mountvernonfarmersmarket.org/

  13. U-Pick Operations • How it works • Benefits • Customers come to you • Reduced harvest labor • Price setter • Challenges • Staffing • Regulations • Liability • Marketing and Communication

  14. Ag Tourism • How it works • Benefits • Customers come to you • Selling an experience • Future customers • Challenges • Staffing • Regulations • Liability • Marketing and Communication

  15. Agritourism • http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/ • http://bowedisonfoodtrail.tumblr.com/ • http://www.festivaloffamilyfarms.com/ • http://www.bellewoodfarms.com/

  16. Let the Internet work for you • Promote your products and availability • Sell your products • Have your own web site or get listed in a online guide or directory www.localharvest.org www.eatwellguide.org www.pugetsoundfresh.org/

  17. Resources • WSDA Greenbookhttp://agr.wa.gov/marketing/smallfarm/greenbook/ • USDA Farmer Direct Marketing www.ams.usda.gov/directmarketing • North American Farm Direct Marketing Assn. www.nafdma.com

  18. Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching Sustainable Crop Production

  19. Reading and Discussion Questions • What is the purpose of hardening off plants? • What are the benefits of raised beds and how would you go about making them in a field production setting? • What are the benefits of transplanting? At what point does it make sense to invest in a mechanical transplanter? • What are the benefits of mulching? What are some options for mulches? • What are the pros and cons of using row cover and what are some ways to secure it?

  20. Crop Rotations • Numerous ecological and other benefits to the farm • Consider plant characteristics to help you develop a plan • Plant families • Moisture requirements • Rooting depths • Nitrogen fixing plants • Warm season - cool season crops • Cover crops/green manures Integrated Organic Practices - USDA

  21. Cover Crops and Green manures • Keep it covered: • Prevent erosion • Shade out weeds • Prevent freezing and thawing of soils • Hosts for beneficial insects • Incorporate it: • Add nitrogen • Increase organic matter UCSC Farm Video: Cover Crops

  22. Use of Cover Crops/Green Manures • Identify your problem • N source, fight weeds, soil builder, erosion • Identify when you could fit them into your rotations • late summer, winter, spring ? • Identify the right type of cover crop • Depending on use, what does well

  23. Use of Cover Crops

  24. Harvesting considerations • When and how to harvest Wholesale Success • Labor requirements • Proper equipment and process • Sorting/packing • Storage

  25. Crop production summary • Management of sustainable cropping systems relies on planning ahead. Things to consider in your plan include: • Planting methods • Crop rotation plan • Use of cover crops/green manure • Tillage strategies • Timing of harvest and post-harvest handling procedures

  26. Upcoming Events • October 28th: Evento de Cooperativos- • November 1st:Risk Management and Specialty Crop Insurance • November 1st: Focus on Farming Conference • November 10-12: Tilth Conference • November 18th:Women in Agriculture • Reading for next week: • The New Organic Grower, Elliot Coleman – Chapter 16 • Integrated Pest Management: Effective Options for Farmers. • An Organic Weed Control Toolbox • Assignment Due: Whole Farm Plan Section III- Marketing Outlets

  27. Whole Farm Plan Peer Review • Highlight the areas in your own plan that you think need further development or detail • Exchange plans with a partner • Take 10 minutes to read through the plan • Come up with 3 strengths of the plan and 3 suggestions for improvement • Take 5 minutes to discuss each plan as a pair

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