A Farmer's Guide to Marketing the Direct-Market Farm

This book is a terrific overview of direct marketing ideas for farmers. Best of all, it contains stories and examples of farmers who have done this successfully. If you are a farmer or rancher who is considering expanding into direct markets, check this out.

You don't need an MBA in marketing to understand the strategies explained in this book by Julie Murphree of the Arizona Farm Bureau, and the daughter of an Arizona farmer. Although I'm not a farmer, I grew up on a farm and I'm a business owner. I know that farmers and ranchers and their families are very busy, even more so than I am as a business owner. This book takes that fact into account. It's an easy read while you're in the bathroom (sorry Julie, but isn't that the only place you have any spare time out on the farm?)This book gives tons of excellent examples of what other farmers and ranchers are doing to market their products directly to the consumer and practical tips on how you can do it too including marketing to consumers at farmers markets or via delivery, opening your own retail store and even agritourism.Plus Julie gives some excellent and up-to-date advice on using social media to market your farm!This book is a must read for any farmer or rancher interested in branching out into other markets.Disclosure: I was given a free copy to read and I am affiliated with the Arizona Farm Bureau. But don't take my word for it, buy this book and decide for yourself. This book is very practical!

"A Farmer's Guide to Marketing the Direct-Market Farm" is a compact and well written introduction to direct marketing. Ms. Murphree presents ten short lessons on ways to improve the profitability of farms by helping farmers to create a unique brand and sell directly to customers. Farmers who successfully implement direct marketing enjoy profit margins that are greater than selling crops as pure commodities to the local co-op. She has a pleasant way of presenting her thoughts in an interesting and accessible manner. And, I like that each chapter includes interviews with farmers who have successfully implemented the concepts she discusses. I walked away with a few good ideas, and I'm glad I took the time to read her book.

Julie Murphree's new book is chock full of practical advice and success stories. Julie shares the expertise from farmers who are now selling directly to their neighbors, local restaurants and beyond by accessing the marketing channels best suited for their farms. Julie's book can help you figure out some of those challenging issues like how do traditional farms branch out into direct marketing, how to personalize a common product, how to stand out from the crowd, what does the product brand say to the public,what supply chains are best for your business, and how to engage customers. Thanks to the author for writing such a great how-to manual for new farmers launching into retail agriculture!

This is such a practical, useful read for those who want to grow in their knowledge of direct-market farming. What I loved most about it were the inserts for relating it personally to your own business and situation. This enables the reader to incorporate more readily the wonderful ideas Julie and the Farm Bureau are sharing. This is a must read for your operation if you are considering entering this type of farming or if you simply need to ramp up your marketing strategies for your current direct-market farming venture! Thanks to Julie and the Farm Bureau for such an engaging and relevant read!

Excellent! Julie this is what we as farmers need to see realistically and practically the possibilities for us in the market place. It is easy to read because you write in a way that's easy to understand and see yourself "doing that". There are so many practical ideas. This is perfect for farm families that are looking for ways to increase income in order to bring their kids into the business. It also offers ideas that would include family members that aren't traditional farmers at heart. Great job! Thank you.

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to market their product. It gives real life examples of what farmers and ranchers have done in an easy to read format. Anyone thinking about direct marketing a product should read this book. It will definately help guide them through some of the pitfalls.