| PROJECT SUMMARY |
| This direct marketing project kicked off with a workshop where speakers with personal success, and failure, at directly marketing meat explained why producers should seriously consider direct marketing and how to find a market. Profit potential, successful selling techniques, prospective pitfalls, and startup considerations were all addressed. The next step was a field trip to observe direct marketing in action. Producers interacted with both direct marketers and customers while visiting a natural foods store, and Seattle and Mt. Vernon farmers´ markets. They heard from regulators regarding the rules regulating direct marketing of meat in the Greater Seattle area. Finally, producers participated in an “Agricultural Entrepreneurship- Tilling the Soil of Opportunity” class. Participants were given the opportunity to set up one-on-one sessions with a Small Business Development Center counselor to develop new business plans. |
| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 55 |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Product and enterprise diversification |
| Marketing strategies, plans and clubs |
| Direct, wholesale, and processing markets |
| Business and strategic planning |
