Direct-Market Directories Help Consumers Find Farmers

Direct-Market Directories Help Consumers Find Farmers 29-1-7 Across the country and around the world, more and more small farmers are linking up directly with consumers, thanks in part to the internet and also to a growing desire by people to get "closer to their food." Some states are making it easier for farmers and consumers to hook up by publishing directories of farmers who sell direct. We recently came across directories in both Illinois and Minnesota. Elizabeth Burns, a small-scale farmer herself, helped create this year's directory with the University of Illinois. She says the school sees direct-marketing as a way for small and medium scale farmers to boost on-farm profits. Each listing in the directory includes the name of the farm, location, contact information and what they have to offer. The directory is also online at http://illinoisfarmdirect. Minnesota's directory, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, can also be found online at www.minnesota grown.com. Contact: The Land Connection, P.O. Box 197, Goodfield, Ill. 62742; website: www.illinoisfarmdirect.org.

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