Final Report for FNE02-444
Project Information
Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE02-444.
We are very pleased that we have accomplished what we had set out to do. Our coop is not a legally organized business in the state of New Hampshire. We have eight farmer-members who are committed to growing specific crops for the 2003 growing season. We have commitments to provide enough food for at least 100 members for 18 weeks. Our original goal was four farmers. We also have an organic baker, who is a producer member, who will sell bread. Our farmer members also have other products they may offer to the membership (eg. maple syrup, berries, etc. We have a marketing plan to recruit consumer members to join the coop. Our goal was to have 20 members by the end of 2002 and 60 members by summer 2003. As stated above we have increased our goal for 2003 to 100 or more consumer members. Given the initial response we believe that this goal is reasonable. Steps we are taking include:
some of our farmers are sending copies of brochures to customers on their mailing lists. Brochures are being distributed at the organic bakery, the local food cooperative, government offices, church's and other public meeting places. Good Earth Farm used to have satellite CSA drop off at a local conservation agency in Concord. People who work there are excited to see CSA return to Concord.
Time frame on membership development. Our attorney advised us not to begin distributing brochures until we are legally incorporated. Becoming legally incorporated took longer than we had anticipated for two reasons.