Project Overview
Many agricultural producers in the West seek new ways to increase their profits and decrease the marketing risk they face. Developing and marketing a value-added agricultural product is one possible method for these producers to add profitability to their operations, but it requires marketing skills that many producers lack. It also entails being able to develop a marketing plan that evaluates the potential market for the product and determines if the product is viable.
This project developed a web-based tool box for agricultural producers to systematically evaluate the potential for developing a value-added agricultural product. This web site is targeted to small farmers in the Western States. Producers are guided through steps needed to evaluate the product and develop a marketing strategy. This will enable producers at their convenience to increase their ability to manage the marketing and financial risk of new products and/or markets.
The results of the project include the following. Approximately 395 producers participated in workshops which demonstrated the Toolbox and asked producers to evaluate the toolbox materials. A Toolbox bookmark mailer along with an evaluation form was sent to 10,000 small farmers across the West. Approx. 3200 producers logged in and used the Toolbox. Based on the evaluations so far received, 75% would recommend the Toolbox to others, 46% have evaluated or plan to evaluate a value-added product based upon their review of the Toolbox materials, 20% believe they can use the majority of the materials in their operation/job, while 40% believe they can use the some of the materials in their operation/job, and 37% will develop a marketing strategy for a value-added product. Between 44 and 58% of the respondents indicated an increased understanding of materials in the 9 knowledge categories, while 36% found all of the materials beneficial, the marketing sections were noted as the most beneficial. Interestingly, 60% said they were likely or very likely to complete educational modules via the internet, as email, education, and news were the primary ways respondents used the internet.
Number of Participants: 3595
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.