Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - RE: [Market-farming] RE: Livestock sales

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Brigette Leach" <avalonfarmshomegrown AT earthlink.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: RE: [Market-farming] RE: Livestock sales
  • Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 14:14:19 -0400

Bravo!

Brigette Leach
avalonfarmshomegrown AT earthlink.net
Avalon Farms Premium Homegrown
Climax MI 49034
Have you checked out our "Share of the Farm"? Contact us for more
information.




> [Original Message]
> From: mtlivestock <crublee AT libby.org>
> To: <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Date: 5/8/2004 12:36:05 PM
> Subject: [Market-farming] RE: Livestock sales
>
> Please forgive me for posting this off-topic information. I have seen
some
> folks make reference to their livestock, so I thought I would post this
> information at least once. Please feel to contact me privately for
further
> information as this is not exactly "market farming" topic.
>
> I, like Jeff, belonged to a small community of struggling
farmers/ranchers.
> It was clear some form of action was needed to bond our individual efforts
> into something "do-able" and profitable.
>
> I started a farm improvement club called the Farmers' Exchange Club. We
are
> a private club, entirely maintained by my husband and myself. We have
cheap
> membership fees ($27.20/yr). We pool this money to pay for monthly
> newsletters, advertising, and events. Well, the money doesn't always
> stretch that far, so we (all members) donate time, items, and money. BUT
IT
> WORKS! Most members have expanded and are much more stable (repeat
> business) since the start of our club four years ago. We have gone from
a
> bunch of farmers to a well organized network of INDEPENDENT farmers! We
all
> maintain private sales, pay no commissions, and have no restrictions
placed
> on us by the club. But we now share advertising costs that no farmer
alone
> could afford.
>
> Our membership is diverse! Lamb, cattle, hogs, hens, eggs, veggies,
fruit,
> goat, hay, feed, etc are offered by members. Because of the club, some
> members have loosely formed some limited partnerships and exchanges. Our
> members now buy from one another instead of going out-of-county to buy.
> This alone has increased sales! The club advertises and attend events
> locally to increase local buying by non-farming folks. It works!
>
> I would be happy to answer questions on forming a club. If I can save
folks
> from some of our mistakes, so much the better! If you are within the
MT/ID
> area, you might want to check out our website. I will be updating it
today.
> I will post the link when it is done.
>
> Please know that you don't need thousands of $$$ to start a club or do
> something to enhance your community. I did it on a shoe-string, and it
has
> been worth it. I did it because I needed increase farm sales and new
> customers for my husband's business. My passion for community improvement
> keeps me going, but profits for my farm is the main goal. I just found it
> makes good business sense if my neighbors are doing well, we also do well.
>
> I do wish we could do more, and I am now seeking funding for the club. If
> only I could get more TIME to do it all!!!!
>
> If you are within northern ID/MT and want to learn more, please contact me
> off-list. I will send my phone # to you. Or send your mailing address
for
> our next bulk mailing. I will be sending a sheet of information out soon.
>
> Christina
> Farmers' Exchange Club
> Libby Creek Heritage Farm
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Market-farming mailing list
> Market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/market-farming
>
> Get the list FAQ at: http://www.marketfarming.net/mflistfaq.htm







Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page