When it comes to direct farm marketing, Georgia seems to rank among the best in the business.

The Georgia Farm Bureau Commodities/Marketing Department not only markets grain and feed ingredients but also works hard to help market your entire farm. We can utilize the farm to sell not only products but entertainment to everyone as well. Through the Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market Program, we bring the consumer to the farm for their fresh grown produce and sell them an on-the-farm experience to boot.

Whether you offer pick-your-own products, provide the best farm raised vegetables around, or offer customers the chance to land the “Big One” in your fish pond, you can market your farm in a variety of ways.

A variety of services are available to you for assistance in marketing your farm. Some of these services are free while others only charge a nominal fee for some great information.One such service is the Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market Program. Our program is designed to help you become a better marketer of your products and services in a number of ways.

Promotion of the activities on your farm is critical in getting consumers to your place. We help in that area by providing brochures that are distributed state-wide through state and local visitor centers, county extension offices, chambers of commerce, county Farm Bureau offices and other local outlets. Membership in the Certified Farm Market Program allows you to display a metal painted sign denoting your farm as a certified farm market.

You will also have opportunities to attend educational sessions throughout the year to gain knowledge and share information with others that offer similar products. The membership fee for this program is $150 per year, and there is an application process.

Offering a chance for the family to choose and cut their own Christmas tree during the holiday season or having the best fruits and vegetables in town is always a good way to get people on your farm but there are also other methods that work well. When considering things for your customers to do when they arrive at your farm remember that you can be creative, but keep in mind the size of your operation and the type of activities for which you are willing to be responsible.

Agri-tourism is rapidly becoming one of the best methods for getting the biggest crowds on your farm. Offering your customers a chance to become involved in the farming experience is a drawing card for some individuals that may not know what agriculture is like. Allow tours of your operation, let the customer see and learn what you do during the day. Hayrides, school tours, playgrounds, petting zoos, and festivals are just a few great ways to diversify, allowing you to operate for longer periods and cater to other interests while accomplishing your original goals. If your marketing efforts are focused solely on one or two items, you could potentially be missing out on a world of opportunities. Don’t be afraid to break the mold and try something that you may not be accustomed to. Change is inevitable and can also be very profitable for those that are willing to take the chance.

To learn more about the Georgia Certified Farm Market program call 1-800-342-1196 or e-mail Jed Evans at jcevans@gfb.org.

Andy Lucas is a commodities specialist in the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department.