Doing non traditional direct marketing to consumers is difficult to learn without just jumping in and doing it. That being said, thereÂs lots of research you should be doing.

With only about 1% of the population living on farms and most of agriculture operating as agribusiness, direct marketing is a socially overlooked step-child. Cooperative Extension has SERIOUS responsibilities for your success. DonÂt let them ignore you. If you are in NY State, you are most fortunate to have Cornell. You should make EVERY use of them and their expertise.

For some of us, Cooperative Extension has branched out so far that they are ignoring the needs of the small farmer. Budget cut backs continue for Coop Ext and, at the same time, the urban population grows. They are involved in all these issues that have nothing to do with their traditional responsibilities. The only way to drive Coop Ext for the small farmers purposes is to stay on their case. Ask, ask, and ask again  and if you donÂt get satisfactory answers, ask why they havenÂt done their job.

YouÂll need all your savvy to promote your business and take advantage of specialty market niches. DonÂt be shy about asking for help.

Steve

Here are Cornell and ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, the best federally sponsored information that I know about:

http://www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/resources/marketing/direct.cfm

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/directmkt.html

Sue, on the other side of the country from you is another good land grant university. (IÂm using the term "good" to indicate their acknowledgement of their unique role.)

http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/marketing/

At the market, you will probably find that your best customers are health conscious people. To promote your healthful products, become knowledgeable about the role of fruits and vegetable in the diet. ThereÂs probably lots of ways to do this but hereÂs a good magazine on the subject.

http://www.fieldandfeast.net/

For an academic approach, you can go to the articles found here:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/

Have fun.

Steve
And, he gave it for his Opinion; that whoever could make two Ears of Corn, or two Blades of Grass to grow upon a Spot of Ground where only one grew before; would deserve better of Mankind, and do more essential Service to his Country, than the whole Race of Politicians put together. - Jonathan Swift

The past few years, when I've ordered plugs, it's been through Harris Seed. Just go to "Plugs/Liners" at the top of the page.

HTH

Tim

Here is a link that might be useful: Harris Seeds

Here in Chatham County, NC we have an established sustainable ag communinity. Our county agent, Debbie Roos, has a good website with links for those interested in small scale farming. Some of it is specific to NC, but much of it would apply in your area as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Small Farms Website

http://www.newfarm.com
http://www.acresusa.com
http://www.growingformarket.com
http://wwww.NOFA.org
http://www.localharvest.org

http://www.farm-garden.com/
http://montepkg.com/index.asp