GFM Network News

More News →

Tag Archives direct-marketing

The pigs raised by Steph Campbell and husband Ben arrive in spring and are butchered in the fall. Selling pork and eggs allows the couple to generate more sales from their customer base.
Beef Cattle, Hogs, Livestock

Couple weren’t millionaires — so they found a different way to farm

It’s not for everyone, says Ben Campbell, but direct marketing is a low-cost route to farming

By
Although Ben Campbell is a third-generation rancher, he didn’t have an operation he could take over. And when he looked at the math for starting his own ranch, it was worse than ugly — he figured he’d need $3 million in assets to generate an income of $50,000. “I didn’t have enough money to do […] Read more
Mark Gibeau credits the success of his organic heritage grain business to the connections he’s built with bakers and chefs.
Cereals, Crops

You can direct market grain, too — but it’s more complicated

Mark Gibeau sells flour to bakers and chefs while selling direct helped Steven Snider get started

By
Mark Gibeau wouldn’t be a farmer today if he couldn’t direct market his grains. “Having small acres in the big-boy system doesn’t work,” said the owner of Heritage Harvest near Strathmore. “We had to find something different right from the get-go.” Gibeau, who farms with his wife, began growing certified organic heritage grains on his […] Read more
Elna Edgar knew that direct marketing at farmers’ markets was the only way to make a go of selling her asparagus.
Fruit/Vegetables, News

Better together: Innisfail Growers is a testament to teamwork

The five farm families in the group have been successfully selling direct for more than 25 years


By
Beck Farms took an unorthodox approach to getting into the wholesale market when it was starting out in the mid-1980s — by selling directly to consumers. “We actually went to a few small farmers’ markets and had people try our carrots,” said Shelley Bradshaw, who owns Beck Farms with husband Rod. “We would say, ‘If […] Read more
Leona and Blaine Staples have grown their U-pick operation to a full-blown agritourism venture.
Heartland, News

Shop local trend has changed the game at the Jungle Farm

Leona and Blaine Staples have continually diversified their farm 
to capitalize on changing consumer shopping trends

By
Leona and Blaine Staples produce a bit of a different kind of commodity on their operation near Penhold. “We really farm people,” said Leona Staples, who has been running the Jungle Farm with husband Blaine since 1996. “One of the passions in our life is sharing our farm with the rest of the world. We […] Read more
News

Top farm direct-marketing conference comes to B.C.

By
The continent’s top farm direct-marketing event is coming to Canada for just the fourth time in its 31-year history. The North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association convention runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5 in Vancouver and Abbotsford. It attracts about 1,000 attendees and more than 40 per cent of event participants said their farm […] Read more
News

Learn the ins and outs of direct marketing

Marketing Made Easy workshop in Calgary on Nov. 5

By
The Marketing Made Easy workshop takes place Nov. 5 in Calgary and Jan. 20 in Fort Saskatchewan. “This workshop examines selling products at Alberta-approved farmers’ markets and beyond,” said Delores Serafin of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “You will learn strategies for creating a lasting first impression, clearly identifying your target clients, and how to make […] Read more
Black Diamond rancher Ben Campbell doesn’t know what the future holds for his fledgling beef business — but he’s confident enough to leave his engineering career to pursue it.
Crops, Livestock

Forging deep bonds — one customer at a time

It’s a whole different world, but these Alberta farm entrepreneurs 
say direct marketing gets in your blood

By
Grazed Right Grass Fed Beef / Black Diamond As one of four children of one of seven brothers who jointly own the family ranch, Ben Campbell knew a farming career was simply out of reach. Even if he had the land base, the cost of starting a commercial-size herd is huge. “Cattle are so expensive […] Read more
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is hosting a one-day CSA workshop on Nov. 18.
Fruit/Vegetables, News

Workshop offered on Community-Supported Agriculture

Registration deadline is Nov. 12

By
The local food movement has seen farms across the country offer CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) programs, in which customers pay up front and receive weekly shares of vegetables and other farm products during the growing season. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Explore Local initiative is hosting a one-day CSA workshop on Nov. 18 at the provincial […] Read more

AgCanadaTV

AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending April 3, 2020.

Sponsored By:
More Videos →

Daily Newsletter

You'll receive current daily news every morning free, as well as market updates and special features.