Special Events Boost Farm Income

Special Events Boost Farm Income SPECIALTY/SERVICES As a rural entrepreneur raising pastured poultry and other farm enterprises may be satisfying But if it’s not quite enough to make a living there are ways to boost income In an article for the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association Caitlin Caserta offered a few suggestions for special events to reach out to potential customers She and her husband Chris started raising chickens when they joined his parents and sister to save a former 100-acre dairy farm in New Hampshire The house built in 1774 was transformed into a B&B which attracted visitors from far off but wasn’t well-known locally The Casertas began making local connections when selling eggs chickens and other meat and produce at farmers markets and an on-farm store One of their first special events was a Farm Day with no entrance fee but food was available for purchase “It was not only promotional but also let the community know farmers so it was also educational ” Caserta says To attract visitors they hung flyers took out ads and articles about them ran in local newspapers She and her husband highlighted their products with a barbecue while other producers shared their products and gave informational talks and 4-Hers gave a butter-making demo There were old-fashioned games like sack races and other activities “It was grassroots reaching out to everyone we knew ” she says “The event brought awareness to our farm that we couldn’t have captured through a simple print or radio ad ” “During the event we were able to sell quite a bit of frozen meat and we gained many new customers ” Caserta wrote in her article Check local regulations for permits and noise ordinances and add an insurance rider for any special event days suggests Caserta As their farm Walpole Valley Farms has grown the family has hosted movie nights with documentaries such as “Fresh” and “Kiss the Ground ” to further educate people about farming They’ve brought in musicians hosted weddings started a restaurant and plan to offer ticketed dinners with a guest chef serving in the barn or a field But special events don’t need to be complicated or expensive Caserta emphasizes “A weekly or monthly farm tour is really important People are happy to buy from you when they see what you’re doing Be as transparent as possible ” she says Adding an on-farm store or working with a local food co-op and offering samples of your products are also great ways to add income to your farm business she concludes Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Caitlin Caserta Walpole Valley Farms 663 Wentworth Rd Walpole N H 03608 ph 603-852-4772; chris@walpolevalleyfarms com; www WalpoleValleyFarms com

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