‘Networking’ has become a buzz word in every industry in America. With Social Medias, global business, and a constant search for new markets, networking is as important to business as the product they sell. The agriculture industry is no different. Networking among producers can provide greater value for products, more opportunity for farmers, knowledge and insight from others in the industry, and an overall support system from those who do what you do: farm.
Diana Endicott is the Founder and President of Good Natured Family Farms – which is an alliance of 150 small family farms within a 200 mile radius of Kansas City, Mo., who market their produce to several large grocery store chains and restaurants in the Kansas City area.
In 2004, Endicott branded Good Natured Family Farms (GNFF) and they launched the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign.
“The Good Natured Family Farms brand allows the farmer’s product to have access to the marketplace while maintaining the identity of the farmer. GNFF is important because we provide access to the supermarket and wholesale marketplace that any one farmer would find difficult to accomplish alone,” said Endicott.
She noted that the GNFF alliance provides locally grown produce, farm fresh milk, artisan cheese, free-range eggs, all natural beef, pastured poultry, local honey and many other locally grown and made foods to the grocery stores and restaurants.
Endicott encourages the importance of networking with other producers and creating a formalized brand. Farmer’s involved in the GNFF network have access to product liability insurance, hold harmless agreements, and the multitude of paperwork required to access larger markets.
It also gives the producer opportunity for bulk purchasing power – feed, egg cartons, boxes, and all produce growing supplies, for example.
Endicott also said that, “A network provides assurance to the buyer of product availability, consistency and quality. Additionally, GNFF network provides food safety training to our produce farmers.”
In addition to networks that provide marketing opportunity for producers, other networks are for the sake of gaining knowledge and insight into an ever-changing industry.
Katie Murray has recently formed the group, North Central Arkansas Farmer’s Network. It is a network of small farms that are a part of the Certified Naturally Grown certification system who meet every couple of months.
There are currently about 15 farming families in the group.
Murray noted, “Many of us who are a part of this group are not from traditional farming families. This group is an important way for us to share experiences, learn from each other, talk through marketing ideas, share funding opportunities and link up with other farm families.”
She continued, “With very few family farms left in the country it’s essential that small farmers and producers network with each other in order to compete with large, industrial scale farming.”
Whether meeting with other producers to gain new knowledge and insight to the industry, marketing as a collective group, or even just sharing a herd bull between neighbors, networking can prove valuable to farmer’s overall profitability, sustainability, and success.
