CCD-MP-10: Kentucky MarketMaker

Matthew Ernst | Jul. 11, 2016 (Minor Revision)

Kentucky MarketMaker is a web-based marketing aid adapted for Kentucky markets. The primary purpose of this resource is to provide a link between agricultural producers and potential buyers of food products. In addition to a searchable database of markets and growers, MarketMaker also contains a wealth of demographic and business data which can be summarized in a map-based format.

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CCD-MP-22: Produce Auctions

Matthew Ernst | May. 1, 2015 (Minor Revision)

A produce auction is a market outlet for locally produced wholesale products. Fresh produce, as well as a variety of other agricultural products, are offered for sale to the highest bidder. The auction charges the seller a commission, usually a percent of sales, to cover the auction's operating expenses.

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CCD-MP-7: Social Meida/Mobile Technology Tools for Ag Businesses

Miranda Combs | Oct. 7, 2014 (New)

The way we communicate with each other is changing. Many consumers are now using their smartphones or tablet devices to connect to and interact with local businesses. It is becoming very practical to connect your business to your clientele through social media using mobile technology tools. These tools offer easy methods to communicate, connect, and engage with your customers. Social media is increasingly important to marketing your business. Mobile technology tools are becoming more accessible to rural areas and they offer different options to both businesses and customers in increasing the ease of transactions and finding more connections.

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CCD-MP-5: Roadside Stands

Matthew Ernst | Sep. 26, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Roadside stand is generic term for a type of marketing site in which a farm producer sells directly to consumers. A roadside stand is a seasonal, temporary or semi-temporary structure that may be located on or off the farm. A roadside stand may be distinguished from a roadside market in that the latter is usually a permanent structure that is often open year-round.

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CCD-MP-3: Pick-Your-Own (U-Pick) Marketing

Matthew Ernst | Jun. 30, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Pick-Your-Own (PYO), also referred to as U-Pick, occurs when farmers "invite the public onto the farm to harvest their own food."1 Producers searching for new crops, combined with a growing Kentucky population, renewed interest in PYO during the past 20 years.

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CCD-MP-8: Marketing Asian Produce in Kentucky

Matthew Ernst | Jun. 19, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Burgeoning Asian populations and consumer interest in Asian cuisine helped stimulate increased interest in purchasing fresh Asian vegetables to prepare at home, a trend expected to continue. Caucasian consumers tend to prefer value-added and processed vegetables, but there are market niches for fresh Asian vegetables. Kentucky producers have received inquiries to source edamame (vegetable soybean) and daikon (Chinese radish) at wholesale quantities.

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CCD-MP-2: Marketing Via the Internet

Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods | May. 1, 2014 (Minor Revision)

The Internet can be utilized in a variety of marketing strategies. Producers may sell their products online through e-commerce, use a website to take orders for their goods, or simply advertise their operation through a "billboard" type website. Social media and blogs provide yet another way the Internet can be used for promoting a farm enterprise. The increase in access to Web-based services through handheld devices makes many customers more immediately accessible to products and services.

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CCD-MP-6: Selling Farm Products at Farmers Markets

Matthew Ernst | Mar. 25, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Farmers markets are used by Kentucky growers of all farm sizes and scales. "Market gardeners" often tend less than an acre of land for selling strictly at the local farmers market. On the other hand, some of Kentucky's largest orchards use local farmers markets as a retail outlet during the fall to command a premium price for their crop.

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CCD-MP-16: Selected Resources for Developing Value-added Products in Kentucky

Cheryl Kaiser | Jul. 27, 2013 (Minor Revision)

The following list is intended to provide Kentucky growers with resources that will help them on their way to adding value to their raw farm products. Included are the names and contact information of pertinent agencies and departments at the University, State, and Federal levels. Links to government regulations and laws related to processing value-added food products are included, as well as links to other selected Internet resources, fact sheets, and guidebooks.

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CCD-MP-14: Adding Value to Plant Production: An Overview

Matthew Ernst | Jun. 28, 2011 (New)

"Value-added agriculture" is a broad term encompassing many practices that increase the value of farm products. Value-added agriculture has come to describe practices as varied as agritourism activities that provide consumers value from visiting a farm to large-scale processing endeavors that create mass-market retail food products from commodity crops.