Marketing Summit Focuses On Ag

This week, the first national-level direct marketing summit was held in Virginia.  It included farmers, farmer's market managers, state extension experts and many others.  Under Secretary of Agriculture Greg Ibach told the summit-goers that direct selling by farmers was a booming sector of Ag partly because, "Consumers now want to know more about where their food comes from, they want that relationship with the farmer."

And, more sellers want to enhance that relationship more than you might think.  But, what was the overall purpose of this weeks summit?

"Bring people together,” said summit organizer Arthur Neel.  “To introduce them to new technology that could help their businesses, best practices and create an environment for them to network. We want them to leave here invigorated, with great ideas, with new ties to people who can help them be more successful in carrying out their direct farm-to-consumer activities."

Activities, which at last count, amounted to almost $9 Billion and growing.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com