Product Description

Cash in on the consumer demand for luscious-tasting fruits, vegetables and herbs with this how-to book that reveals the tricks of the trade from master marketers around the country. The definitive book on high-value produce marketing for farmers and market gardeners, this book delivers the kind of hands-on information you need to sell what you grow. Offers practical, how-to guidance in making profits from produce.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #161364 in Books
• Published on: 1994-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780963281401
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Library Journal
Gibson is an agricultural journalist whose writings have appeared in numerous farm publications. His book is intended for small farmers, gardeners, and anyone interested in marketing their own produce. As implied by the title, Gibson's emphasis is on the many aspects of marketing crops as opposed to growing them. His first several chapters deal entirely with market planning; additional chapters discuss such direct marketing options as roadside markets, pick-your-own operations, and mail order. Selling to retailers and wholesalers is also covered, as are other considerations of running a business such as pricing, promotion, insurance, and coping with government regulations. Gibson cites many additional publications and resources, adding to the usefulness of his volume. With its practical "how-to" approach, this book is recommended for public libraries.
- William H. Wiese, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gibson begins by noting that corporate farming's economies of scale have led to a decline in produce quality. Fruit is picked green, so that it may be shipped; fewer varieties are available, because only a few can withstand mechanical harvest; infestations of insects abound--in turn leading to higher use of pesticides--because of repeated, concentrated plantings. Therefore, there has never been a better time to become a niche marketer, not only by producing the "Yuppie fruits" that California became known for in the 1980s, but simply by providing organic tomatoes, tree-ripened peaches, and fresh sweet corn. The key is marketing: Gibson discusses roadside markets and pick-your-own operations, suggesting ways to enliven these old methods (by making your farm into a sort of theme park for city dwellers, or providing information on canning and freezing, or passing out recipes). Then he moves to more ingenious methods: contacting local restaurants, and planting crops they will buy directly; selling "subscriptions," or growing produce on order; advertising; establishing a brand; and joining a co-op. Given Gibson's focus--marketing, rather than growing, produce--it's hard to imagine a more thorough treatment. John Mort

Review
A must for anyone interested in turning a hobby garden or small farm into a money-making enterprise. -- The Growing EDGE magazine, May, 1994

A tremendously comprehensive and useful book exploring market farming from A to Z. -- Garden City Seeds 1994 Catalog

Filled with nuts-and-bolts knowledge directly applicable to making a living from selling produce. -- HortIdeas magazine, June, 1994

Customer Reviews

Marketing Tool Supreme
This book is designed for the small farmer to help create a marketplace for what they produce. It covers virtually every area that produce can be sold from direct marketing, farmers markets, CSA's, and restaurant sales to name a few. He lists the advantages and disadvantages of most plans in detail. He covers how to display signs and produce in the most appealing manner. Of particular interest to me was his discussion of "value added" products. There is an excellent Resource Section at the end of the book with a multitude of organizations that are sources of information. This is a must-have in the home library!

Just what we need to be self relient!
A fun book to read. Full of real stories of people who sale their home grown plants and vegges. Well worth the price. Read also "Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business"

What the Reviews Have Said
As the publisher and author of this book, I know I'm slightly prejudiced, but I truly feel this book has come to be recognized as the "bible of small farm marketing."

I am proud to have received the following testimonials and/or reviews for this book:

"Purely practical from beginning to end, filled with nuts-and-bolts knowledge directly applicable to making a living from selling produce." -- HortIdeas

"This is the best book to date about the alternative marketing options available to farmers... This how to book deals with every aspect of marketing from selling to choosing crops and from regulation to advertising. Small family farmers in this country are ready for a book like this." -David Visher, UC Davis Small Farm Center

"Far-and-away the outstanding farm produce marketing text. If you're trying to sell what you grow, this book will quickly pay for itself." -- Small Farmer's Journal

"The information Eric provides is as complete a book on agricultural marketing as has been written in the last century. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking new ways to obtain success in the farming business. If you buy only one book about farming then let it be "Sell What You Sow!" Too many farmers have learned the hard way that you can't raise it, then decide how you're going to sell it. Sell it first, then plant the seed. That's good marketing." - Robert "Matty" Matarazzo, Matarazzo Farms, Belvidere, New Jersey

"Outstanding" - Howard "Bud" Kerr, (then) director, USDA Office for Small-Scale Agriculture

"Covers marketing alternatives thoroughly, down to specific details every farmer, whether direct marketing or wholesaling, must consider." - Richard VanVranken, county agricultural agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

"Sell What You Sow! is a very readable book, full of great tips from experienced marketers across the country. If you want to see what successful marketers are doing across the country, read this book." - Kevin Hosey, assistant manager, Knox County Regional Farmers Market, Knoxville, Tennessee

"For too many years, we farmers have let others do the real marketing of our products and as a result have let the profits slip away. Sell What You Sow! Explains how to use direct marketing to recapture lost profits and boost the farm gate value of your work." - Curt Stuntman, Rural Innovation Center, Amanda, Iowa