Website Links Farmers To Consumers

Website Links Farmers To Consumers COMPUTERS Computers Tom Davenport uses his website - Farmfoodies org - to connect farm producers and consumers at no cost It s a system that allows farmers to update their information easily and send emails to customers who are interested in their products     For example Davenport recently sent out an email that he planned to butcher 20 heritage Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs in November Other times of the year he sends emails when his hay beef and fruits or vegetables are ready      The ideal place this works is on the fringes of populated areas and where people are nostalgic about connecting with farms says Davenport whose farm is in Delaplane Virginia about 70 miles west of Washington D C     Farmfoody org went on-line this spring but already has nearly 2 000 members throughout the U S with the majority in the Virginia area where it has had the most publicity Visitors to the site can type in a zip code to find out what s available in their area and sign up to become friends of any farm they re interested in and receive email notifications from that farmer     Davenport says it s another way to direct-market to consumers His friend Steve Knoblock designed easy-to-use software for farmers to fill out and update      It gives farmers immediate personalized websites and they can change everything easily by themselves Davenport says Each farm s page includes a map where the farm is located and options that include recipes video and frequently asked questions FAQ The FAQ section can be very useful; instead of spending time on the phone answering the same questions the producer can direct the consumer to his web page     Davenport invites interested farmers in the U S and Canada to check out his website and contact him for more information There is no fee he notes for listings Any size operation is welcome from someone with a few extra vegetables to sell to large farms and orchards      Getting a site like this to grow is a little like priming a pump We advise new farm members to contact us with information about press contacts in their area Davenport says We will send press releases to those contacts to spread the word to farmers and consumers     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Tom Davenport 1524 Snowden Road Delaplane Virginia 20144 ph 540 592-3701; tdaven@crosslink net; www farmtoody org

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