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Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter (click here for directory of past newsletters)
July 2006
I know most of you are already in the midst of your summer harvest season and don't have to much time to read so let's just go through a quick check list of the "basics" of creating a great agritourism destination at your farm. 1. Hire the right employees. Hire for a good attitude, a winning smile and a contagious enthusiasm - the rest of the stuff you can train them to do. 2. Create the very best first impression that you can! From the highway signage to the drive-up landscaping to the great aroma that greets people as walk through your doors. Make that first impression a WOW! 3. Sell only the best! I know, I know. We all say we do—but just make sure the produce looks as good an hour before you close as it does the hour you open. (It's okay to sell seconds or ripes or second day sweet corn - just make sure the sign explains it that way.)
5. Give away plenty of samples—customers today need to be constantly reminded that they can "taste" the difference with fresh, homegrown produce or your signature bakery items. Sampling isn't just for the weekends, it should become part of your daily routine. 6. Be the best agritourism ambassador that you can be. Offer to give a talk to civic groups, join and participate with your local tourism bureau, and write a press release to your newspaper that "agritourism" has made it to the dictionary. (See the next article.) We all can make this industry better and show more profits in our business by being the best we can and tooting our own horn. Have a great season. If you have done something particularly innovative or something that you are proud to share with others, please drop me a line. Agritourism is Now In the Dictionary
Agritourism: noun, the practice of touring agricultural areas to see farms and often to participate in farm activities.
Only two new business terms made the cut this year, and perhaps these words tell America about their choices: the two words added in the business category are "Agritourism" and "big box." Lets all do what we can to help folks see more Agritourism, and less of those "big box" stores in 2006!
If you currently provide children's birthday parties at your property, I'd like you to click here and take this short survey. Birthday parties have become a big marketing enterprise for some farms and I'd like to hear about what you do and how you handle the groups. All people who reply will be sent a copy of the results. |
4. Always know that
you are setting the example
for your employees! A frown, a quick remark
about that customer walking out your door, or
skipping out without telling your employees where
you are going, can quickly set the stage for bad
behavior by your employees.
Wow! This is great
news. "Agritourism" is now
included in the new Merriam Webster Collegiate
Dictionary, one of the less than 100 new words
added this year. 
