Small Farm & Direct Marking Handbook available for farm, food businesses

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:42:56 +0000

STATE – The Washington State Department of Agriculture has released the Small Farm & Direct Marketing Handbook for farmers who sell their agricultural and food products directly to consumers.
The handbook, announced at the annual meeting of the Washington State Farmers Market Association earlier this year, provides information about the resources available to farmers, how to operate a farm business, marketing strategies and regulations on specific products. Sections include licensing, food safety, organic certification and marketing directly to consumers through farmers markets, retailers and institutions, community supported agriculture (CSAs), farm stands and U-pick, and information on agri-culinary tourism. Regulations are also outlined, including the marketing of specific products such as poultry and meats, eggs, fish and shellfish, fruits and vegetables, honey, milk and dairy.
“Helping farmers sell their products and increase the economic viability of small farms is the core mission for our Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program,” said WDSO Director Dan Newhouse in a press release. “A lot of farm wisdom went into this handbook and we paid special attention to summarizing pertinent rules and regulations in plain language.”
Direct marketing has grown in popularity, department officials said, as consumers purchase more fresh local products and are learning about where their food comes from and how it is produced. The majority of Washington’s 39,000 farms are classified as small farms, according to the department.
In 2008, sales at 140 farmers markets in Washington State exceeded $55 million. Figures from 2009 are not yet available. Statewide, there also are about 200 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operations where consumers purchase regularly from a local farm. Locally, Whatcom County has more than 30.
The new handbook builds upon what was formerly called The Green Book, last revised in 2006. It was partially funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency.
The 125-page handbook can be downloaded at http://agr.wa.gov/Marketing/SmallFarm in its entirety, by chapter or by topic. Printed copies may be obtained by e-mailing your address to smallfarms@agr.wa.gov or by calling Leisa Schumaker at (360) 902-1926.

Foothills Gazette » WSDA

Small Farm & Direct Marking Handbook available for farm, food businesses