Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter- April 2007

(click here for directory of past newsletters)

News From Fresh Grown Publications!

It's not often that the words "guaranteed income" and "farm" appear in the same sentence. Take Notice!

I want you to be among the first people to know about my new book, Fresh Grown Company Picnics and Events. Whether you have been doing picnics and events for a long time, or you are just thinking about it, this new book contains tons of tips and step-by-step instructions on how to establish and grow your company picnic business.

The book goes through a natural progression beginning with offering event space for rent, and then advancing through various considerations: tent rental or purchase, providing food services by caterer or your own kitchen, and at the top of the income list, providing a turn-key event where you do all the planning and scheduling, and charge accordingly.

Checklists, sample contracts, and even a telephone script are provided to give you every advantage in understanding and embracing the business of company picnics. Each book also contains a CD recording of my 2006 Teleseminar on Corporate Events and Picnics.

Click here to order.

April 2007

Over the past several months, I have been conducting a survey on my website regarding zoning codes and state and local statutes that affect the agritourism farms in the U.S. and Canada. To say the least, the responses have certainly been interesting!

I greatly appreciate everyone who participated in this survey. I'm sorry that I could not call each of you to learn more, or to offer more help, but I don't really have the answers and don't think they are easy or necessarily transferable from one region or state to another.

There really are no easy answers, but it is clear that those that have been victorious achieved their goals only through their active involvement in the community and community government. I certainly wish the best for all of you.

Here's what we found out:

Zoning Survey Shows Farm Challenges
I received 61 responses to this survey, with 50 of them from farm operators, and 11 from industry and government people willing to share their perspectives. Not surprisingly, 29 producers indicated that zoning has been an obstacle to their business growth!

There was a time, not too long ago, that farms were able to expand their businesses, perhaps adding agritourism enterprises, pretty much with the blessings and support of the community. Neighbors and local governing bodies allowed the farmer to "fly under the radar" if you will, permitting whatever was necessary in order to keep this vital food grower sustained.

But needless to say, we farmers don't enjoy that understanding any longer. The urban sprawl is creeping rapidly towards the farmland, and those neighbors equate acreage with wealth. They have little understanding or appreciation for how truly difficult it has become to support a farm and family.

I hope you will read the following article to learn more about what's going on in the area of zoning and conditional permits as they affect our farms. Clearly, it is incumbent upon the farmer to become active in the political process.

While we would all prefer to leave the politics to the state politicians, local government, the farm bureau, and the state departments of agriculture, a solution is not going to happen unless we all get involved and provide our perspective. We must make our voices heard.

Click here to read more about this important agritourism survey on zoning and how it affects your farm's future.

Consultation Winner
Congratulations to Mary Lou Shea, Shea Gormet Inc., who has a won free telephone consultation from Eckert AgriMarketing by entering our drawing at the conference in Pasco, Washington.

I hope you will join me at a future conference or workshop in your area. Please click here to see my speaking schedule.