Market Farming

["Jennifer-Claire Klotz" <jcvk AT hotmail.com>]

Liz,

What perfect timing!  :)))

USDA is working with NAFDMA to develop a directory of farmers market and 
direct marketing associations.  We found about 40 (in about 26 states) that 
have FM and DM and their primary objective.  There are others that do work 
in the area of FM and DM but perhaps their primary objective is something 
like organics or sustainable agriculture.

Liz are you in NC?  Let me know....?

The FM and DM directory is at the printers and I should have hard copies in 
1-2 months.  :)  I hope to get the on-line version up and running the end of 
the month.  (Unfortunately I am reviewing grant proposals at the moment...)  
The on-line version will be maintained - at the moment we are guessing we 
will redo the hard copy every two years.

Liz or anyone else who immediatly :) wants an electronic (.doc file) of the 
National Directory of Farmers Markets and Direct Marketing Associations can 
email me at claire.klotz AT usda.gov.  I will also send out a notice to the 
list server when the on-line version is up.  (It will have a map you can 
click on your state, a listing by what benefits and services they 
offer....etc....a little more user friendly.)

As for your other comment, this summer my coworker should also have the 
results  of the National Survey of Farmers Markets.  This would have 
information about the percent that are producer only, what the average 
market size is, and so forth.  Again, I will send out a message to the list 
server since I don't know how close it is to being  made public.  In this 
great world of technology the on-line verion gets up one to two months 
before the print version!


Best regards,
Claire

http://www.ams.usda.gov/directmarketing
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