2008 Annual Report for FNC07-696
Marketing an Organic CSA
Summary
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The main goal of this project is to determine how best to market an Organic CSA in a rural community. Therefore, the focus of this project is to develop a marketing strategy which meets local demand for organically grown food, is flexible for consumers, profitable for local farmers and ranchers, and contributes to sustainable agricultural practices.
PROGRESS TO DATE
During the past twelve months, twenty-three (23) key promotional, organizational, and research milestones have been achieved, as outlined in the section of this report entitled Chronological List of Key Events and Documents. Specifically, twenty-three (23) documents have been submitted to NCR-SARE as email attachments and/or mailed directly to the NCR-SARE administrative office.
Below are key highlights of the project progress to date:
• Promotional efforts have been very successful, as evidenced by the six (6) news articles that have circulated within the local community and even within the larger regional area.
• Organizational efforts have been very successful, as evidenced by the six (6) Local Farmer & Gardener meetings held from October 16, 2008 through March 12, 2009 to build rapport, discuss mutual needs, develop a NCR-SARE group grant, discuss the formation of a farmer’s cooperative, and explore marketing ideas. Average attendance at these meetings has been 14 persons, 80% of whom are farmers.
• NCR-SARE Farmer-Rancher Group Grant entitled “Organic Starter Program” submitted
on December 1, 2008. Michael Hollcraft
• CSA Producer Questionnaire has been completed and sent to four (4) local CSA’s.
• www.LocallyGrown.net research paper was completed and this marketing option presented
to local farmers.
• Michiana Organic Growers Cooperative Board of Directors formed on March 9, 2009.
• Work on the Organic CSA -Consumer Preferences Marketing Survey has been initiated.
Challenges to Date: The key challenges to date have been outreach to local farmers, maintaining consistent communication, and organizing meetings in my community. Social isolation among farmers in my rural community has been a limiting factor, though the news articles and group grant opportunity have been excellent motivators. The NCR-SARE group grant, in particular, has become a focal point for participating local farmers and helped us to unite in pursuit of our common interests.
Additionally, the U.S. financial markets crisis, which began on September 16, 2008, has created general economic concerns and presented a significant reason to consider forming a farmer’s cooperative. Although some local farmers in my community did not want to join a regional farmer’s cooperative such as MOGC, others did express interest and have agreed to serve on the MOGC Board of Directors.
Lastly, managing and coordinating both the Local Farmers & Gardeners meetings and the MOGC meetings has consumed most of my spare time in recent months, though the results to date are promising and the value in terms of my NCR-SARE grant work is significant.
Remaining Deliverables
• Organic CSA -Consumer Preferences Marketing Survey & Analysis
• CSA “Best Practices” site research
• Report: Marketing an Organic CSA: Best Practices
• Educational Outreach to other farmers & ranchers
Chronological List of Key Events and Documents:
• 04/23/2008: NCR-SARE Press Release
• 04/29/2008: La Porte Harold Argus news article: “Self-sustaining CSA”
• 05/16/2008: AGRINEWS article: “Grant used to help CSA farm take root”
• 06/01/2008: LOCAL article: “Californian Michael Hollcraft Returns to his roots…”
• 06/23/2008: New Carlisle News article: “Grant used to help CSA farm take root”
• 08/18/2008: New Carlisle News article: “Pa’s Vegetable Patch”
09/16/2008: U.S. Financial Markets Crisis begins…
• 10/11/2008: Community Leadership Initiative Meeting
• 10/16/2008: Local Farmer & Gardener Meeting Agenda
• 10/27/2008: New Carlisle News article: “Local community gardening and canning workshops”
• 11/06/2008: Local Farmer & Gardener Meeting Agenda
• 11/18/2008: Michiana Organic Growers Cooperative (MOGC) -Preliminary Proposal
• 11/19/2008: Goshorn Purdue Letter of Reference
• 11/20/2008: Local Farmer & Gardener Meeting Agenda
• 12/01/2008: NCR-SARE 2008 Group Grant Proposal “Organic Starter Program”
• 12/04/2008: Local Farmer & Gardener Meeting Agenda
• 01/12/2009 www.LocallyGrown.net Research Paper
• 02/12/2009 Local Farmer & Gardener Meeting Agenda
• 03/01/2009 CSA Producer Questionnaire
• 03/04/2009 MOGC Organizational Meeting Agenda
• 03/09/2009 MOGC Board of Directors List
• 03/12/2009 Local Farmer & Gardener Meeting Agenda
• 03/15/2009 MOGC Application Letter
• 03/16/2009 NCR-SARE Progress Report, 2007 Farmer-Rancher Grant FNCO7-696
Newspapers sent via snail mail to Joan Benjamin:
• 06/01/2008: LOCAL article: “Californian Michael Hollcraft Returns to his roots…” (Frontpage)
• 06/23/2008: New Carlisle News article: “Grant used to help CSA farm take root” (p. 10)
• 08/18/2008 New Carlisle News article: “Pa’s Vegetable Patch” (pp. 2, 14, 17)
• 10/27/2008: New Carlisle News article: “Local community gardening workshops…” (p. 8)