[Market-farming] Fedco etc.

Sharon and Steve shopkins at tdstelme.net
Thu Jan 1 16:35:29 EST 2009


>
> I suspect there's a connection between cheaper prices and slower
> service >
> -- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
> Fresh-market organic produce, small scale


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If we are trying to match service and price I would consider that tough to 
do, when Johnnys has a super farm growing seed crops as well as breeding and 
multiplying new crops. They have an impressive (for an organic start up) 
record with All-America; as well as a bunch of varieties in their catalog 
that have been developed at Albion. Sales are at a large facility at 
Winslow, has a retail store, and is steps from the best deli in Maine, sure 
makes running down there for the odd packet worth while as a break in the 
busy season.



Fedco has from its roots been a coop that gives us excellent value while 
working with more and more local growers to provide local organic and or 
natural material. It has a an amazing person at the helm  in C.R. Lawn who 
writes most of the veg catalog and I doubt that he opens many books to do 
so; they operate out of a retired chicken barn with a super efficient home 
built facitity. Stock is sorted into cardboard boxes and picked into those 
apple harvest buckets that strap to the chest. They operate on their 
schedule which also allows almost everybody to also be a grower in his own 
world but do internet orders through the summer.

It is interesting to attend growers programs here in New England and have 
Rob Johnston (Johnny) and C. R. Lawn (Fedco) spend an evening with growers 
dealing with how to select and grow out own seed. These gentlemen want us to 
succeed and do what they can to help!

MAsteveINE




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