2007 Annual Report for CS06-050
Getting your small farm products to market / a three county program to solve product logistics: marketing/sales, product development, packages and labeling, transportation
Summary
Project funding was received in the fourth quarter 2007 due to adjustments to scope and budget resulting from the budget cutback and review process. Therefore, most activities have occurred in the first and second quarters of 2008. 4th quarter activities included: a kickoff meeting on October 2, 2007 to solicit participants and present information about the program, and transportation of produce by primary cooperator Madison Family Farms.
The purpose of this project is to expand and leverage the use of
value-added facilities and equipment recently acquired by Madison, Yancey
and Mitchell Counties in the tobacco dependent region of western North
Carolina by providing four key missing logistical components:
marketing/sales support, product development education, packaging and
labeling, and transportation.
A fall kickoff for this type of project provided better timing than a spring startup that would have coincided with the March grant award cycle. Most farmers are well into their plans and actual work routine after February and participation would have been much lower as a result if we had started in spring or summer.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Goal 1: Increase Sales by More Sophisticated Marketing
Goal 2: Increase Producer Income by Creating New Products
Goal 3: Improve Profit Margins and Assure Product Quality by Packaging and Labeling
Goal 4: Increase Profit Margins and Assure Product Quality by Improving Transportation System and Methods
Accomplishments/Milestones
Although the project startup was delayed until 4th quarter, timing of the SARE grant activities was excellent for farmer-producers at the end of their growing season when they needed support for transportation of crops to markets and had time to attend the kickoff session and make plans for the 2008 season.
October 2, 2007: producer workshop covering all aspects of the SARE grant program.
October-December: Implementation of transportation system by Madison Family Farms for product delivery from farms to markets.
Announcements for the SARE program were widely distributed in several newsletters, email notices, newspaper articles, and bulletin reminders.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Approximately 40 producers and buyers were introduced to the program. Information about farmers products and buyer needs was presented and exchanged.
Approximately 1000 boxes of produce were transported from farmers in 4 counties to buyers in the region.