Rising consumer interest in supporting local farmers and obtaining healthy and safe food has led to new direct and value-added marketing opportunities for farmers. From farmers markets, CSA and food hub programs; to farm stores, agritourism, retail outlets, restaurants and cafeterias; and eco-labeling programs; many Washington farmers are testing and incorporating new strategies into their marketing mix. Local food procurement efforts recently launched by government, large retailers, institutional food buyers, and schools in Washington have further fueled demand for regional farm products. Growing markets for local farm products have in turn inspired efforts to develop regional processing, distribution, and marketing infrastructure. CSANR faculty have conducted research and outreach on farmer marketing trends, characteristics of emerging markets, market development strategies, and consumer purchasing preferences.
Featured Publications
Washington State Farmers Market Management Toolkit
Kinney, K. & C. Donovan. 2016. The “Washington State Farmers Market Management Toolkit” is designed to provide timely information, tips, and templates to farmers market managers, board members, volunteers and other organizers as they negotiate the ever-increasing demands of running a farmers market. All chapters are available for download.
Survey Highlights: Farmers Markets and the Experiences of Market Managers in Washington State (PDF)
Ostrom, M. & Donovan, C. 2013.
Summary Report: Farmers Markets and the Experiences of Market Managers in Washington State (PDF)
Ostrom, M. and C. Donovan. 2013.
Researching Farmer Characteristics and Strategically Deploying the Data
Recorded webinar presented Sept 25, 2013 by WSU Small Farms Program’s Colleen Donovan. Hosted by Farmers Market Coalition.
Washington State Farmers Market Manual (PDF)
Ostrom, M. & Z. Lyons. 2012. The Washington State Farmers Market Association, WSU Small Farms Program and Washington State Department of Agriculture have collaborated to update the “Washington State Farmers Market Manual” (Second Edition). The updated Manual is an excellent overview for communities looking to start a farmers market and for new market managers, boards and agricultural […]
Small Farms: The Heart of Washington Agriculture (PDF)
CSANR Technical Report 2005
Consumer Food Purchasing: Interest in Local and Direct Markets (PDF)
CSANR Research Brief 2005
The Importance of Direct Marketing for Washington Farmers (PDF)
CSANR Research Brief 2005
Additional Publications
Summer Squash: Is Mini-Squash Worth the Effort? – May 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Organic and Beyond: Consumer Demand Growing for Differentiated Farm Products – Spring 2008 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Diversifying the Family Farm – Spring 2008 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Analysis of Local Food Distribution of a BIOAg Producer Group (PDF)
Poster presentation – BIOAg Research Symposium 2008.
Sustainability at Washington State University Dining Services – March 2006 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Can the Way We Eat Change Metropolitan Agriculture? The Portland Example – December 2005 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
The New Food Entrepreneur: Conference Draws Enthusiastic Crowd – March 2005 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Annual Farmers’ Market Conference – March 2005 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Building a Healthy Future for Family Farms: Washington State Family Farming Summit (PDF)
Washington State Family Farming Summit October 13-14, 2003 Wenatchee, Washington.
Direct Marketing Farms Benefit from WSDA Grants – June 2005 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Browse all Alternative Markets Publications
External Links
- eXtension
- Food Safety at Farmers Markets – Information & Guidelines
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) Master Publications List
- Plant and Life Sciences Publishing
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