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Unit 2: Marketing Opportunities and Strategies for Sustainable Farm/Ranch Businesses

Less experienced marketers need information about:

• How to get started direct marketing

• Where to sell direct

• How to identify target markets

• How to attract customers

• How to identify niche market opportunities

• Potential income from direct marketing

• Where to get help, such as grants

More experienced marketers need detailed business and decision-making information about:

• Performance standards

• Benchmark information

• Consumer trends

• Facility layout and design details

• Regulations and liability

[Excerpted from Direct Marketing Today: Challenges and Opportunities. USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service. February 2000.]