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One of the things that I love most about farming is that there is always something new going on. One day you might be baling hay on the tractor and the next day you will be running the chainsaw and building fence through the woods. It is a occupation and way of life that always has you learning new skills, working outdoors (in weather both good and bad), and above all it keeps you on your toes! But, one thing that is true on a direct-to-consumer farm is that you will often find yourself doing as much marketing and selling as you do “farming”. On today’s episode I wanted to talk a little bit about the process of our direct marketing farm from the beginning until our product is in the consumers hands (or on their grills … or in their tummies). Luckily it only takes six easy steps … of course most of the year all of these steps are occurring simultaneously!
Six Steps From the Farm to the Family Table
- Step #1a & 1b :: Birth of Livestock or the Buying of Livestock
- Step #2 :: Raising the Livestock
- Step #3 :: Processing
- Step #4 :: Inventory and Storage
- Step #5 :: Advertising and Marketing (Communication)
- Step #6 :: Selling
Don’t forget about the upcoming Practical Farmers of Iowa Farminar featuring “The Beginning Farmer,” Ethan Book.
Tuesday, February 18th 7:00 – 8:30 PM CST
Making Niche Pork Work for You at Any Scale
Link mentioned in this episode …
Amy Palanjian writes about our Crooked Gap Farm Meat CSA
As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn. If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five start rating and review (by clicking the link or the image on the right). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!
Hello from MN!
I am planning on moving to a farm with my family this year, and I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your podcasts. I also read your wife’s blog.
I want to do a similar farm model as you are doing (direct sales, pasture raised animals) except on a smaller scale. (Maybe bigger eventually, if my husband gets on board.) I would like to focus more on beef (I also want Dexters) and have pigs be a smaller part. We will see how that goes, though. Anyway, I am terrible at commenting, but I have been listening. Thank you!