NC Organic
An Organic Agriculture
Internet Resource
for North Carolina Farmers
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Marketing
The organic segment of the food industry has been growing strong and steady and had an average annual sales growth rate of 20% for many years. Even with the economic downturn, U.S. sales of organic products, food and non-food, in 2008 were still 17.1% over that of 2007 for a total of $24.6 billion. Organic products can be a replacement crop for tobacco farmers, as well as promising crops for new and "seasoned" farmers looking to diversify their farms.
Fortunately, as consumer demand increases for these popular products, so will sales opportunities for farmers growing specialty organic products. Niche marketing to ethnic populations, gourmet restaurants & retailers, developing value-added products, community supported agriculture and participating in tailgate markets are a few ways to reach organic consumers locally and globally.
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General Marketing Resources
- General Farm Marketing Guide – Growing Small Farms
- Organic Farming and Marketing – USDA
- Organic Marketing Resources – ATTRA
- Agricultural Marketing Service at USDA
- Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
Wholesale
Direct Marketing
- Direct Marketing – ATTRA
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
- Community Supported Agriculture Resource Guide
- Community Supported Agriculture in North Carolina (PDF)
- Community Supported Agriculture – USDA
- Community Supported Agriculture and Other Farm Subscriptions, Local Harvest
- Eight Tips from the Experts to Make Your Community Shared Agriculture Project a Success
- The Community Farm: A Voice for Community Supported Agriculture
Farmers' Markets and Tailgate Markets
- Farmers’ Markets – A resource for those who want to organize a new market or sell at an existing one
- NCDA&CS Farmers Markets
- Search Engine for Local Tailgate Markets
- Mountain Tailgate Market Association
Agritourism
- Marketing Strategies for Farmers and Ranchers – SARE
- Entertainment Farming and Agri-tourism (PDF) – ATTRA
- Handmade In America, Agritourism
- Pick-Your-Own Directory
Selling Eggs & Meat
- Selling Eggs, Meat, & Poultry in North Carolina: What Farmers Need to Know
- North Carolina Egg Law
- Meat and Poultry Handler Requirements (PDF)
- Inspection Requirements for Meat and Poultry Businesses (PDF)
- NCDA&CS Meat and Poultry Information