Marketing farm direct and ag tourism on the web

The camera we used to record these videos is a Flip Camera. I got mine on Amazon. I've even see them at Walmart. They plug directly into your usb port. Downloading is very simple. There are no instructions. All support material is on their website. www.theflip.com

Networking, the old fashioned way, is the ‘heart’ of NAFDMA but we want to learn new tricks

Social Marketing was THE hot topic this year. I haven’t seen our industry this hyped-up in years. They wanted to know what they were missing and how to catch up. What did we learn? What should business do now?

Do a search of your business on  www.flickr.com to see what pictures have been posted. Mary Vollmer of Vollmer Farm did this after the presentation. There were 394 pictures taken at her farm posted on Flickr . Some were amazing. All told a story.  Is it the right story? Businesses need to know what image you have on the web.
 
Search www.youtube.com  to see what videos people have posted from your business. Some farms have started using viral marketing to spread the word about their events. They post videos on youtube that can be shared. This video was created by Saunders’ Farm to promote their Fall Haunting Season on the farm. This video was created to spoof a popular song and features a character from the Haunting Season at Saunders’ Farm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBOmPvsWgRA&feature=related
 
People are talking about you on www.facebook.com

 A facebook page, chat room or blog might be needed.  We have built this blog using www.blogger.com 
 
Use www.google.com/alerts to keep track of what is being posted on the web about your business. We get about 5 alerts a week about NAFDMA. 

NAFDMA members share a few web site ideas at the Website session on Participation day.

Upcoming webinar: NAFDMA 2009 highlights

Our own Charlie Touchette, NAFDMA's Executive Director, is this months guest presenter on the Canadian Farm Business Management Council's Ag-Webinar. Charlie's topic: Recent Revelations - The Best of NAFDMA 2009 February 23rd @ NOON EST.

Sign up now at http://www.agriwebinar.com/

The Ag-Webinar is free of charge. You will need to be at a computer to take part.

Highlights from the 2009 NAFDMA Awards Banquet and Participation Day.

NAFDMA award winners

This year the membership committee introduced a new award package. Thank you to all who entered and shared their products and ideas with us. We all learn by sharing- it's the NAFDMA way. Congratulations to all of our people's choice winners.

The 2009 Best of Show goes to the Kuipers Family Farm. Congrats!!!

Contest Winners:

1. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence web site contest is: Rosabella’s Gardens

2. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Television contest is Bowman Orchards

3. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Maze Design contest is Treinen Farms

4. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Printed Rack Card is
Robas Family Farm

5. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Employee Handbook is
The Apple Shed

6. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Promotional Innovation is
Apple Annies

7. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Printed Brochure is Kuipers Family Farm

8. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Specialty Printed Literature is
Kuipers Family Farm

9. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence School Tours is Mesilla Valley Maze

10. The winner of the Celebrate Excellence Printed Newsletter is
Tanners Orchards

Outstanding NAFDMA Leadership award- Anne Holcomb

NAFDMA Hall of Fame award- Time & Jan Vala

Outstanding NAFDMA Participation Team member - Anna Lyles

Honorable Mentions
1. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence web site contest are
Dewberry Farms and Tanners Orchards

2. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Television contest are Tate Farms and Swank Farms

3. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Maze Design contest re Apple Annies and Swank Farms

4. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Printed Rack Card

are Tate Farms and AKL Maui

5. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Employee Handbook are Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard and Mesilla Valley Maze

6. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Promotional Innovation are Carolyn’s Country Cousins and Treinen Farms

7. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Printed Brochure are Gifford Barn and Hollabaugh Brothers Orchards

8. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence Specialty Printed Literature are Vollmer Farm and The Rock Ranch

9. Honorable mentions for the Celebrate Excellence School Tours are
Carolyn’s Country Cousins and The Rock Ranch

10. The Honorable mention for the Celebrate Excellence Printed Newsletter is Alstede Orchards

Retailing basics

You need a signature item.

A viewing area that let's your customers watch production of your products boosts sales. People buy the process. It's food theatre!

Merchandizing with antiques and old farm products helps create a authentic experience in your store.