Jeffrey spoke with the manager at the local Fresh Market and he gave us a list of things that they would like for us to grow for them. We are so excited to have more of the things that we grow in a larger market. Not only did he want these things for the store in our county but also in 5 other stores in 4 counties. All the customers that come to our farm market know how great the things are that we grow but now our goodies and our name will be going out through the state. We are hoping that with this new development that Jeffrey may be able to stop working a job away from the farm.
The things they are asking us to grow are yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and of course-strawberries. I am in the process of working on getting our labels done for the products. It will be one with our logo and address on it. Hopefully those in the Raleigh area will buy our produce and decide to drive down to check us out or call someone they know in the area to suggest us.
Jeffrey has been busy ordering seed and doing the planning for which fields to use. We have also been discussing the possibility of getting another high tunnel to expand our winter greens farming. We are also going to need another greenhouse to do seedlings in-my small one just isn't big enough for the expansion that we are planning.
Something new that I am going to experiment with on my own is for the off site farmer markets that we are a part of. In the past we have done really well financially during strawberry season but after that our sales have gone down. Everyone at the markets has the same things but the others will have one thing that the next person doesn't have. For example one farm has all the same produce as we do but they also have bedding plants and hanging baskets for sale. Realistically I don't have the greenhouse space to do flowers so I finally decided to do some "odd" vegetables that the others may not have. I have plans for green and white eggplant, a white cucumber and a lemon cucumber, and herbs. I am still researching odd eye catching things I can grow. I will still have a supply of th enormal things that everyone else has but I think these odd things might get someone to stop at mine and buy everything they need at my stand. I am also trying to figure out a layout so to speak for the tent, tables, etc. If I can catch their first glance with our tent and how everything is displayed and I can catch their second glance with an odd thing then maybe I will have a better shot at making these markets profitable throughout the season. Plus if I can come up with a set schematic for the layout then I can just send someone to take care of the market with little headache and few questions. Anything that saves me time down the road is always a bonus.
Jeffrey has been busy ordering seed and doing the planning for which fields to use. We have also been discussing the possibility of getting another high tunnel to expand our winter greens farming. We are also going to need another greenhouse to do seedlings in-my small one just isn't big enough for the expansion that we are planning.
Something new that I am going to experiment with on my own is for the off site farmer markets that we are a part of. In the past we have done really well financially during strawberry season but after that our sales have gone down. Everyone at the markets has the same things but the others will have one thing that the next person doesn't have. For example one farm has all the same produce as we do but they also have bedding plants and hanging baskets for sale. Realistically I don't have the greenhouse space to do flowers so I finally decided to do some "odd" vegetables that the others may not have. I have plans for green and white eggplant, a white cucumber and a lemon cucumber, and herbs. I am still researching odd eye catching things I can grow. I will still have a supply of th enormal things that everyone else has but I think these odd things might get someone to stop at mine and buy everything they need at my stand. I am also trying to figure out a layout so to speak for the tent, tables, etc. If I can catch their first glance with our tent and how everything is displayed and I can catch their second glance with an odd thing then maybe I will have a better shot at making these markets profitable throughout the season. Plus if I can come up with a set schematic for the layout then I can just send someone to take care of the market with little headache and few questions. Anything that saves me time down the road is always a bonus.
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