A social media marketing strategy is essential for any entrepreneur and is especially important for those of us who are hustling from the homestead. Properly harnessing the power of social media can boost business and mean big returns. Failing to take advantage of social media can cost you traffic and help drive customers to your […]

Parade planning is an adventure in itself! We had a wonderful adventure for St. Patrick’s Day. This is the third year we have been a part of the St. Joseph St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Our first adventure was making a float to hold our critters. REBUILDING We realized last year that with the sides 5 […]

This past weekend saw a big change in how we do business. For many years, our farm stand has been a cash-only business. We would also accept personal checks, but did not take credit or debit cards. However, sales were lost because of this. Local folks know to bring cash, as many small businesses in […]

We all like to think that we are too smart to be influenced by marketing. So it’s easy to think that when you set up your first farmer’s market table or open your homestead farm stand all you have to do is offer quality products and courteous service, and sales will happen. However, there is […]

It’s all in a name, right? When you are shopping, what do you look for? It’s those tried-and-true products that are the go-to items on your list. What do you look for as you’re racing through a weekday shopping trip, before you have to get home and make supper (and attend to the other dozen […]

When I first heard the word blog, I thought…what the heck is that? I thought it was a weird name for what I later learned was an online journal/collection of articles. It sounded like a combination of “blob” and “grog”.   I’m sort of resistant to new technology and always about a decade behind when […]

Selling Your Herb Products Shared From MOTHER EARTH NEWS  Written By: MOTHER EARTH NEWS editors Your best prospects for selling display cards of herbs will be found among supermarkets, grocery stores, health food store. and specialty shops. Any store that sells food is a prospect for a dried herb display card. A good time to see […]

Run a Small-Scale Sawmill – Part 2 -Pricing for Profit Shared From MOTHER EARTH NEWS  Written By: James Fairfield and the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Editors SAWMILL PROFIT POTENTIAL Once you’ve narrowed your scope and settled on sawing and selling as your activities in the timber trade, you’ll still likely have to work away at it for […]

Excerpted from Homemade For Sale by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko   Everyone’s business and food products could make a great topic for an article. But what’s your hook and news angle to get free media coverage? The following ten steps will help increase the likelihood of receiving the media exposure you deserve.   Step 1: […]

Excerpted from The Farm to Market Handbook by Janet Hurst. Find a newsletter template online. Start with a one-page (front and back) format. Create a header with your farm name, logo, and contact information. Write the newsletter with the current season in mind. Include details about your farm but don’t get too personal. Write about […]