How Small Farm Businesses Can Put Their Products in Front of the Right People

Small farm businesses are the heart of local communities, offering fresh, unique, and sustainably sourced products. Yet, with limited budgets and resources, many small farms struggle to compete with larger operations. The good news is that with the right marketing strategies, small farms can thrive.

In this blog, we’ll share actionable steps to help small farm businesses get their products in front of the right audience. We’ll back these strategies with statistics, real-world examples, and practical tips. Plus, we’ll show how a cutting-edge website with drone photography can elevate your farm’s online presence and attract more customers.

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The Growing Demand for Local Food

Small farms make up 89% of all farms in the U.S., but they contribute just 20% to agricultural production, according to the USDA‘s 2023 report. Meanwhile, consumer demand for local food is skyrocketing. A 2021 Food Marketing Institute (FMI) survey revealed that 81% of U.S. consumers prefer locally sourced food and are willing to pay a premium for it.

This growing preference offers an incredible opportunity for small farms to thrive—if they adopt smart marketing tactics to connect with these consumers.

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Step 1: Form Local Partnerships

Building relationships with local businesses is one of the fastest ways to increase your farm’s visibility. Examples include:

• Farm-to-Table Restaurants: Partner with chefs who highlight locally sourced ingredients. According to a 2023 National Restaurant Association report, 66% of diners prefer restaurants that support local farms.
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): The CSA model allows customers to subscribe to weekly or monthly boxes of your farm’s produce. LocalHarvest.org estimates there are over 7,000 CSA farms in the U.S., and the number is steadily growing.
• Farmers’ Markets: Farmers’ markets remain a top channel for connecting directly with consumers. The USDA reports that farmers’ market participation has grown by 50% in the last decade.

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Step 2: Showcase Your Farm with Stunning Visuals

A picture is worth a thousand words, but a drone photograph is worth a thousand customers. High-quality images of your farm can inspire trust and curiosity, while drone photography can highlight the unique features of your property.

• Drone Benefits for Farms:
  • Showcase the scale and beauty of your land.
  • Highlight sustainable practices like crop rotation or organic farming.
  • Capture unique angles of farm events, such as harvests or markets.
• Example: Sweet Meadow Farm in California used drone footage on their website to showcase their lavender fields. The aerial perspective attracted thousands of new visitors to their site and significantly boosted event bookings for their seasonal lavender festival.

At Tech-ke Websites, we specialize in drone photography to make your farm shine online. These captivating visuals help your customers connect with your farm on an entirely new level.

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Step 3: Build a Professional Online Presence

A well-designed website is essential for small farms to attract and retain customers. Here’s why:

• Online Sales: With online grocery sales reaching $140 billion in 2023 (eMarketer), your website can serve as a virtual farmers’ market, open 24/7.
• Local SEO: Optimize your website for search terms like “organic vegetables near me” to attract local customers. Google reports that 76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within 24 hours.
• Social Media Integration: Use your website to link to active social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where you can engage directly with your audience.
• Example: Green Gate Farms in Texas combined a stunning website with active social media posts to promote their CSA program. Their Instagram features behind-the-scenes farm activities, while their website allows customers to sign up for CSA memberships seamlessly.

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Step 4: Share Your Farm’s Story

Consumers care about the story behind their food. Use your website, blog, and social media to share:

• How your farm got started.
• Your commitment to sustainable practices.
• The people and processes behind your products.
• Example: Happy Hens Farm in Oregon used a blog post and video to explain how they raise free-range chickens and grow organic produce. Their storytelling approach doubled their CSA subscriptions within six months.

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Step 5: Utilize Email Marketing

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to keep customers engaged. HubSpot research shows that email generates $42 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most profitable marketing tools available.

• Ideas for Emails:
  • Send monthly newsletters featuring recipes, farm updates, and promotions.
  • Offer discounts or rewards for referrals to encourage new customers.
  • Share upcoming events, such as seasonal festivals or farmers’ market appearances.

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Step 6: Host Farm Events

Invite customers to experience your farm firsthand through events like:

• Farm Tours: Show off your sustainable practices and educate visitors about your process.
• Pick-Your-Own Produce: Seasonal picking events are family favorites and drive foot traffic.
• Workshops: Teach skills like canning, composting, or gardening to connect with customers on a deeper level.
• Example: Johnson’s Backyard Garden in Texas hosts open farm days and workshops, attracting hundreds of visitors. These events strengthen community loyalty and often lead to increased CSA signups.

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Step 7: Work with Influencers

Collaborate with food bloggers or social media influencers who share your values. Micro-influencers—those with smaller but highly engaged audiences—can be particularly effective for small farms.

• Example: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery in Illinois partnered with a local food blogger to promote their goat cheese and farm dinners. This partnership increased their social media following and boosted event attendance.

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Step 8: Analyze and Adjust

Track the success of your marketing efforts to identify what works best. Tools like Google Analytics and social media insights provide valuable data.

• Statistics to Monitor:
  • Website traffic and conversions from online sales.
  • Engagement rates on social media posts.
  • Email open and click-through rates.

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Why Marketing Matters for Small Farms

By building local partnerships, leveraging stunning visuals, and engaging online, small farms can meet the growing demand for fresh, sustainable products. Investing in your farm’s marketing isn’t just an expense—it’s a pathway to growth and long-term success.

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Let Tech-ke Help Your Farm Shine Online!

Your farm deserves a website that reflects its beauty and mission. At Tech-ke Websites, we specialize in helping small businesses grow with cutting-edge designs, powerful tools, and stunning drone photography that showcases your farm’s story like never before.

Here’s what we offer:

• Custom Website Design: Create a modern, mobile-friendly site that showcases your products.
• Drone Photography: Highlight your farm with breathtaking aerial views.
• E-Commerce Solutions: Make it easy for customers to shop online.
• SEO Optimization: Help your farm show up in local search results.
• Blog Content: Tell your story and share updates to engage your audience.

Let’s Build Something Great Together.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s help your farm business grow!

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