How Do I Expand Into New Markets?
Diversifying your revenue streams, or selling a variety of products to a variety of buyers can protect and secure your business when starting or growing your farm. The resources listed here can help you make decisions and plan for expanding into new markets.
How can I learn about other income sources for my farm and whether my farm will succeed at them?
What organizations support farmers looking to expand into other markets?
Where can I learn more about selling Value-Added Products?
How can I learn about other income sources for my farm and whether my farm will succeed at them?
Title |
Organization |
Description |
|
The goal of this video and article series is to help farmers evaluate all aspects of an enterprise before they commit time and money. extension.psu.edu/business-and-operations/starting-a-farm/ag-alternatives |
||
|
These curated educational offerings cover basic, startup information for beginning farmers interested in engaging in new agricultural enterprises. |
||
|
U.S. Department of Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education |
This guide showcases how urban farms typically succeed through diversified income streams and collaborations with other farms and local businesses. sare.org/resources/best-practices-for-the-sustainable-urban-farm/ |
|
|
Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farm and Rural Businesses |
U.S. Department of Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education |
This guide brings the business planning process alive to help today's alternative and sustainable agriculture entrepreneurs transform farm-grown inspiration into profitable enterprises. |
|
Marketing Fresh Produce via Direct to Consumer and Intermediated Markets |
This bulletin shares how to find market channels that may be a good fit for farmers as the demand for fresh produce continues to grow. |
|
|
This online course provides an introduction to honey bees, covers the time required, physical demands, and financial resources of beekeeping, and suggests ways to help all pollinators. https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/msu-is-beekeeping-right-for-me |
||
|
This bulletin outlines the rules, regulations, and recommendations for keeping honey bees in Michigan. canr.msu.edu/resources/starting_and_keeping_bees_in_michigan_rules_and_regulations |
||
|
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Business Model: How to Scale for Growth |
Millie Chu, Founder and CEO of Global Entrepreneurship Business Lab, led this presentation on Business Model: How to Scale for Growth. canr.msu.edu/resources/emerging-farmers-learning-series-business-model-how-to-scale-for-growth |
How do I reach other markets?
Title |
Organization |
Description |
|
Branding and Marketing Self-Guided Course for Food and Farm Businesses |
This five-video course about branding and marketing is for food and farm entrepreneurs in the early stages of launching their business. canr.msu.edu/resources/branding-and-marketing-self-guided-course-for-food-and-farm-businesses |
|
|
Internet es una herramienta de comunicación y marketing que puede exponer su granja a una gran cantidad de potenciales clientes. drive.google.com/file/d/1M081Bxivj2oKZ78zfilex_32xu7wewRv/view?usp=drive_link |
||
|
Estas instituciones están cada vez más interesadas en comprar alimentos locales, lo que provee una nueva oportunidad de marketing para una granja de escala mediana a grande. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wogmaHtf_k5P8Nok1xZO54x3W-Fyb771/view?usp=drive_link |
||
|
This curated list of resources provide templates and guides for food and farm businesses to make creative, consistent, and brand standard media packages for social media, websites, newsletters, and more. canr.msu.edu/resources/emarketing-resource-suite-for-food-and-farm-businesses |
||
|
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Customer Insights & Marketing |
Erika Tebbens, Director of Impact at Taste the Local Difference, led this presentation on Customer Insights & Marketing. canr.msu.edu/resources/emerging-farmers-learning-series-customer-insights-marketing |
|
|
Emerging Farmers Learning Series — Value Chain Coordination: Other Sales Avenues |
Paul Green, Sales Manager of Marrow Detroit Provisions, led this presentation on Value Chain Coordination: Other Sales Avenues. canr.msu.edu/resources/emerging-farmers-learning-series-value-chain-coordination-other-sales-avenues |
What organizations support farmers looking to expand into other markets?
Organization |
Description |
|
Cultivate Michigan is a statewide campaign to help farm to institution programs grow. |
|
|
Developing and Educating Managers and New Decision-makers (DEMaND) |
The DEMaND Series helps the next generation of farm operators develop into managers and decision-makers by providing resources on financial and business management strategies. |
|
Michigan Ag Council promotes Michigan agriculture through consumer outreach and marketing. |
|
|
The Michigan CSA Network exists as a platform for CSA farmers and support organizations to meet, learn, collaborate and network to achieve the goals of small farm viability and increased food access and equity. |
|
|
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) |
MDARD offers grants, regulatory guidance, and market development support. |
|
MIFMA supports markets and vendors with education, technical assistance, and food access programming. |
|
|
The Michigan Food Hub Network brings food hubs together to create something larger than the sum of its parts: A network of regional food distributors across the state dedicated to supporting the growth and success of Michigan’s local food economy. |
|
|
Michigan Good Food Fund provides flexible financing and tailored business assistance to support the success of food and farm entrepreneurs and to grow a more resilient, inclusive local food system. |
|
|
The Michigan Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a network that supports transitioning and organic farmers with mentorship, learning opportunities and resources. |
|
|
The MSU Product Center supports innovation and growth for business, industry and entrepreneurs in food/beverage, agriculture, and natural resource sectors. |
|
|
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) Food Processing Innovation Center |
The FPIC is a multi-functional leasable processing plant. |
|
The Northeast Michigan Healthy Food Initiative strengthens the regional economy by supporting local growers, food businesses, and supply chains that create jobs and build long-term economic stability in Northeast Michigan. |
|
|
The USDA provides small and midsize producers valuable resources and program information. |
Where can I learn more about selling Value-Added Products?
Title |
Organization |
Description |
|
Find licensed, commercial kitchens to take your food business to the next level! |
||
|
The MSU Product Center supports innovation and growth for business, industry and entrepreneurs in food/beverage, agriculture, and natural resource sectors. |
||
|
This site educates farmers and others on the Cottage Food Law in Michigan, providing guidelines for individuals to prepare non-potentially hazardous foods in a home kitchen. |
||
|
This guide provides information about specific products and business start-up procedures to food entrepreneurs. https://www.canr.msu.edu/productcenter/selling-food-in-michigan |
Print
Email