Marketing
Understanding your market’s shoppers
Gathering customer data is vital for retail farm markets. It helps to understand customer preferences, enhance service offerings and refine marketing strategies to improve the customer experience. But what are the most effective data collection... more »
Farm Market & Agritourism: Complementary markets promote local agriculture
Recently, I attended a regional grower meeting where I gave a presentation on a pilot project collecting pricing data at farmers markets for the USDA. One of the growers made the comment that he thought... more »
Michigan Apples score big with MSU athletic partnership
Michigan's apple industry is betting that a partnership with Michigan State University athletics will be a winning combination on and fff the field. Michigan Apples’ longstanding partnership with Michigan State Athletics continues as the football... more »
Organic market development grants released by USDA
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has awarded $9.7 million for 13 grant projects through the Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) program. The funding brings the total amount awarded through the program... more »
Longtime produce leader to lead Florida tomato groups
Robert Guenther, a longtime produce industry leader, has been tapped to lead Florida's tomato trade associations. Guenther will serve as the executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange and Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, in... more »
IFPA mourns the passing of Ed Duda
A. Duda & Sons' Ed Duda passes Western Growers and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) mourns the passing of Edward “Ed” Duda, a past United Fresh Produce Association chair and influential leader in fresh... more »
Growers appointed to Georgia commodity commissions
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper has named growers to head Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions. The commissions include apples, blueberries, peaches, pecans, wine and grapes and vegetables. The following are the appointments: Apple Commodity Commission: Andy... more »
USApple forecasts 2024-25 apple crop at 260 million bushels
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is predicting the 2024-25 calendar year (CY) apple crop will be 259.5 million bushels, a 10.1% decrease compared to the 2023-24 season. After record production last year, apple growers expect... more »