Strengthening Rural Communities Through Direct Marketing

Strengthening Rural Communities Through Direct Marketing

Summary

The purpose of this project is to support and sustain healthy rural communities in the northern Piedmont of North Carolina by increasing farmers’ and consumers’ participation at a local farmers market. Through a series of education programs and public forums we are assisting farmers in sustainable agricultural practices and in developing effective marketing strategies. We are working with the public to educate and encourage consumers to purchase their fresh produce directly from local farmers through farmers markets and community supported agriculture arrangements. Specific efforts are being made to ensure that all residents, especially low-income residents, have access to fresh farm products.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The objectives of this project are to:
1. Provide younger generation and transitioning farmers (farmers looking for alternatives to tobacco and row crops) education on sustainable agriculture practices.
2. Provide younger generation and transitioning farmers the skills and opportunity to sell agricultural products at an established farmers market.
3. Provide participants education on marketing, nutrition, food preparation, preservation, and leadership skills.
4. Increase public access to local, sustainably produced food.

Accomplishments/Milestones

This project is still underway therefore it is too early to comment on accomplishments.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

It is the goal of this project to bring new farmers to the market on a regular basis.

When small-scale sustainable farming is seen as a viable occupation, rural communities are strengthened, farmland is retained, and community linkages are established with consumers. This approach could have the potential to assist more than one rural community by virtue of our point of departure – the market where many farmers drive from nine different counties.

Collaborators: