Skip to main content

NC State Extension

Marketing Systems Exploration for Specialty Crops-2004 Report

en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

This is a 2004 report from a NC Specialty Crops Program Project. It is posted for historical reference purposes.

PROJECT LEADER(S): Cliff Ruth, Agent

LOCATION: Henderson and Transylvania Counties

IMPACT
Funds from this grant were used to develop a website devoted to marketing of alternative crops. This project has gotten the attention of the Henderson County Manager and Commissioners. As a result the initiative became part of the Henderson County 2020 plan for agriculture. Although fewer than 20 growers have joined the site, reviews and interest continue to grow. It is expected that additional work and education programs will be needed to continue the project. Initial plans were to have a complementary paper directory as well. These plans are still being processed and a hard-copy directory will be printed in the Spring of ’05.

INTRODUCTION

Several growers in Henderson and Transylvania Counties have adopted alternative crops and cropping systems. While producing these specialty crops have their on unique production techniques; learning these techniques has been relatively easy for most growers. However, developing marketing strategies and venues has been the biggest hurdle for most specialty crop producers to master. This grant proposal is designed to assist these growers in examining as well as adopting new methods of marketing in order to increase their profitability and sustainability.

METHODS

Specialty Crop Producers will be identified and loosely organized based on similarity of crops. Two or more similar groups will be assisted in developing collaborative marketing efforts through the initiation of both web-based marketing and brochure development. Grant funds will be used to provide initial “seed money” to support a basic website devoted to marketing of alternative crops in WNC as well as to help produce quality brochures devoted to group marketing of the selected commodities/systems. Individual growers will be asked to make small contributions to the costs initially incurred and provided with direction to increase their contributions to cover recurring expenses after the grant funding time has expired. Educational programs designed to assist these growers with presentation and displaying techniques at trade shows and retail venues will also be implemented.

RESULTS

The website is: http://www.blueridgegrown.com (no longer a live website)

TABLES & PHOTOS

blueridgegrown site

Reviewed by Jeanine Davis, NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University 7/19/2022.