Missouri Alternatives Center's Bimonthly Electronic Newsletter 800-433-3704 "AG OPPORTUNITIES" July-August 2001 (Vol 12 No 1) * Small Farms * New Family Farms * Agricultural Alternatives Displaying at Farmers' Markets (With permission from Growing for Market) Display is an important part of selling at farmers' markets. The best displays are those that do three things: * catch the customer's eye from a distance and pull him or her to your stand; * make your produce look fresh and beautiful; * help the customer understand what's for sale, how much it costs, and how to purchase it. To achieve those three goals, you should aim for a display that is consistent, clean, and orderly. Don't use old cardboard boxes, plastic harvest tubs or buckets, or mismatched containers. Don't throw your produce out on a table, or in dirty wooden boxes. Here are some ideas for more appropriate display containers for produce and cut flowers, along with contact information for the suppliers that sell them. Produce display The classic wood bushel basket is still a good look for farmers' markets. You can purchase them very inexpensively, and they are available in several sizes to accommodate different types of produce. Bushel baskets and their smaller cousins should be raised up a few inches in the back so that they tilt toward the customer, and they should be kept full so the customer doesn't have to reach in to her elbow to pick up an item. That's why it's helpful to buy several sizes - as your supplies diminish, you can transfer to smaller containers so that you continue to have the appearance of abundance. There's something about a little pile of produce in a big basket that is very unappealing to customers; those last few items will sell better if they're in a small basket. Wood baskets can be purchased in all natural, or natural with hoops of red and green. Many growers also use wooden berry baskets to display pints or quarts of items that they either can't weigh, for lack of a scale, or that would seem too expensive if priced by the pound. Fingerling potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and hot peppers are often sold in pints or quarts for convenience and better prices. Although the baskets are displayed at the farmer's stand, the produce can sometimes be transferred to a bag when the purchase is made, as long as the item won't be crushed. With that system, a carton of wooden berry boxes can last all season. Another type of container that is popular for produce display is the synthetic rectangular basket. These look like natural woven baskets, but they're actually made of plastic fibers, so they are waterproof. Many sizes are available; a typical one is 12 inches wide by 18 inches long by 4 inches deep. They are wonderful for displaying greens, lettuces, and herbs, because you can mist those items to keep them fresh without getting a sodden basket. You can also find many natural baskets at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby; watch for sales, as baskets are often reduced to half price or less. Go for a consistent look, choosing one style or material that you can obtain in several sizes. If you want customers to bag their own produce, you need to provide bags and bag stands. Bags can be purchased from several of the mail-order suppliers listed below, but you may find that you save shipping costs by buying them from a local grocer. Both the natural foods store and the Food 4 Less produce managers have been willing to sell us rolls of bags at their cost. It never hurts to ask. You can also purchase biodegradable cellophane bags. Flower Display If you want your flowers to convey the appearance of high quality, you must display them professionally. Old icing or pickle buckets will work if you've cleaned off the labels and glue, but you can go a step up and purchase floral display buckets at very inexpensive prices. The wide-mouth 2.5 gallon buckets work best for mixed bouquets. Single stems or very tall bouquets require larger buckets with narrow openings. Most bucket suppliers want to sell by the pallet load, which may be several thousand buckets, depending on size. Those listed below will sell in small quantities, but it may still be more than the beginning grower needs. In that case, scout the discount stores and dollar stores for other buckets. Try to buy them all the same color and shape - you want the buckets to fade into the background, not to be a focal point of your flower display. Another option is to use galvanized or painted flower cans, for the European look. Because they are tall and narrow, you can't fit a lot of mixed bouquets in them, but they are good for single stems or small bunches of tall flowers. You can also buy the small size for about $3.50 each when you buy a case, and just make bouquets directly into those and price the bouquets to recoup the can cost, plus some. Finally, you may want to use sleeves on flowers to keep the bunches separated, prevent damage by browsing customers, and protect the flowers as the customer carries them home. Sleeves are available in a huge number of sizes, colors, and materials. Farmers' market growers often prefer the perforated materials to prevent the flowers from heating up too much. If they are to be marketed inside, the clear BOPP material is usually preferred. You can usually find bouquet sleeves at floral wholesalers, or you can mail order them from several manufacturers. Although the cost of high-quality display containers may seem a bit forbidding at first, remember that they will last for years and will help you maximize sales and win long-term customers. Suppliers * Fruit Growers Package Company - wooden baskets and strawberry quarts. 616-657 -5165; www.basketfactory.cc * Rockford Package Supply - full line of baskets, bags, bottles and other display items. 800-444-7225; www.rockfordPACK.com * Putnam Plastics - many types of produce packaging supplies, 800-457-3099, www.putnamfarm.com * Monte Packaging - full line of display and harvest containers including boxes. 800-653-2807; http://montepkg.com * Hubert Company - full-line supermarket equipment and supply company with synthetic produce and bread baskets, as well as display fixtures, clamshells, bags, and just about every other kind of supermarket supply, 800-543-7374; www.hubert.com * Display Specialties, Inc - wide range of store display items, including produce baskets, wooden crates, floral buckets and racks. 800-545-9362; www.displayspecialties.com * PAK-CEL - biodegradable cellophane bags often used for packaging salad mix and herbs. 800-635-2247. * A-Roo - floral buckets in quantities of 100 and bouquet sleeves in quantities as low as 500. Ask for Rita for small-volume orders. 830-372-4770; www.a -roo.com * Flowersleeves.com - web site for flower sleeves. * Buquet Supply sells galvanized and painted flower cans. 817-535-6928. More Direct Marketing Suppliers Barrels, baskets, crates, buckets * The Bradbury Barrel Co, PO Box A, 100 Main St, Bridgewater ME 04735, 800-332 -6021 * Texas Basket Co, 100 Myrtle Dr, PO Box 1110, Jacksonville TX 75766, 800-657 -2200 Cider & juice making equipment * Day Equipment Corp, 1402 E Monroe, Goshen IN 46526, 219-534-3491 * Frontier Technology, Inc, 609 N Eastern Ave, Allegan MI 49010, 616-673-9464 * GoodNature Products Inc, PO Box 866, Buffalo NY 14240, 716-855-3325 - Non -citrus fruit & vegetable juicer * Happy Valley Ranch, 16577 W 327 St, Paola KS 66071, 913-849-3103 * Orchard Equipment & Supply Co, PO Box 540, Conway MA 01341, 800-634-5557 Roadside Banners * Bannerscapes, 726 Raddick Ave, Santa Barbara CA 93103, 800-676-1283 * Litho Screen, PO box 715, Sheboygan WI 53082, 800-262-1677 Miscellaneous direct marketing supplies * Design Decorators Inc, 3076 Jasper St, Philadelphia PA 19134, 800-331-5644 - Farm market theme balloons such as Big Apple, Sally Strawberry, Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin, etc. * High Sign Inc, 1486 CTH DB, Mosinee WI 54455, 715-693-6201 - Farm market balloons * JAMarketing, 942 Virginia Ln, Elmhurst IL 60126, 708-279-5806 - Fruit and vegetable marketing materials - Road Signs, color postcards, letterheads, buttons, flyers, signs, banners, giant balloons, tee shirts, clip art and more. * Pumpkin Ltd, PO Box 61456, Denver CO 80106, 303-722-4442 - Pumpkin Carving kit Scales * Orchard Equipment & Supply Co, PO Box 540, Conway MA 01341, 800-634-5557 Miscellaneous Resources * Florapersonnel, 1450 S Woodland Blvd, #201, DeLand FL 32721-1732 - Florapersonnel specializes in jobs in the growing industry-greenhouses, nurseries Packaging Supplies * Action Bag Co, 501 N Edgewood Ave, Wood Dale IL 60191, 800-824-BAGS - Polybags, cotton drawstring bags, ziplock shipping supplies * Adelman-Fisher Packaging, 207 Walnut St, Kansas City MO 64106, 816-842-4961 - produce boxes, plastic bags, bushel baskets, display baskets, etc. * Agri-Pack/Division of Liberty Carton Co, 870 Louisiana Ave So, Minneapolis MN 55426, 800-328-1784 - Berry and farm market suppliers, fruit and vegetable containers, fruit and jam gift containers * Essentials "N Such, 3999 N Chestnut Ave, Ste 368, Fresno CA 93726 - Bottles, jars, vials, cups, tea bags, etc. * Fresh-PAK, PO Box 256, Stevensville MI 49127, 616-429-3295 - Produce packaging * Independence Box Co, 935 N Main St, Independence OR 97351, 503-838-3763 * Inland Container, Park Fletcher Station, Box 41264, Indianapolis IN 46241, 317-248-8086 - Produce boxes * Ivex Floral & Nursery Products, 221 E Greenwood, Grant Park IL 60940, 815 -465-2092 - cut flower sleeves, flower boxes * The Nu-Era Group Inc, 727 N 11th St, St Louis MO 63101, 800-325-7033 - Padded shipping bags, floral, gift and jewelry boxes * Package Containers Inc, 777 NE 4th Ave, Canby OR 97013, 503-266-2721 - Tote bags, herb ties and twist ties * Packaging Corp of America, 1603 Orrington, Evanston IL 60204, 708-492-5713 * Pacific Isles Trading Ltd, 450 7th Ave, Rm 3105, New York NY 10123, 212-465 -8027 - EarthSaver ecological alternatives to throw-away bags * Pacific States Box and Basket Co, 1295 S Los Angeles St, Glendale CA 91209, 818-244-8688 - Berry baskets * Polybags Plus, PO Box 3043, Port Charlotte FL 33949 - Ziplock, muslin, cellophane * Sunburst Bottle Co, 7001 Sunburst, Citrus Heights CA 95621 - Vinegar bottles, glass vials, canning jars, lip balm jars, corks, push-on capsules, potpourri boxes, etc. For more information on suppliers, contact Tammy Bruckerhoff, Horticulture Marketing Specialist, MO Dept of Agriculture, PO Box 630, Jefferson City MO 65102-0630; 573-751-3394, e-mail: Tammy_Bruckerhoff@mail.mda.state.mo.us One Missouri One Agriculture The Governor's Task Force on Agriculture will hold a series of public meetings to examine issues facing MO farmers and agribusinesses and seek recommendations for improving the state's agricultural industry. Help create the future for MO agriculture and lay the groundwork for success in the 21st century by attending any or all of the following regional meetings: July 17 -- Springfield, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 7:30-10:00 pm July 18 -- Portageville, Univ of MO Lee Farm, 7:30-10:00 pm Aug 1 -- Maryland Heights (STL), Holiday Inn Riverport, 7:30-10:00 pm Aug 13 -- Sedalia, State Fair Community College, Stauffacher Bldg -- 1:30-4:00 pm Anyone wanting to speak at one of the meetings is asked to register in advance by writing the MO Dept of Ag, PO Box 630, Jefferson City, MO, 65102, by calling 573-751-2477 or fax 573-751-1784, email Cheri_Morgan@mail.mda.state.mo.us. Your name, address, telephone number and the topic you would like to speak about should be included. Missouri produce growers can now apply for new MU online marketing list Missouri fruit and vegetable growers can add their names and products to an online list that will be available to wholesalers, restaurants and other consumers, University of Missouri extension specialists said. "It's especially good for people doing direct marketing, but it can be used by anybody," said Tim Baker, Outreach and Extension horticulture specialist in Dunklin County. Baker said the idea occurred to him when he heard MU computer programmer John Travlos describe an MU website that successfully linked hay buyers and sellers. Baker said he had been fielding calls from people who wanted to know where they could buy fresh local produce. "I thought, 'Gee, what if you had a list of people whose names you could give out?' For the producers, it's free advertising. As it gets built up, it's going to be more useful to consumers." Travlos said the fledgling website is still in "a chicken-and-egg situation. We need to make producers aware there is this new resource out here for them to market their products." Growers in MO can apply electronically at http://agebb.missouri.edu/hortgrow/entryform.asp. They also can apply by contacting their local county extension office. Baker said the page is focused on produce growers, "but there's a place on there where they can list other things, like honey and buffalo meat." The site also notes whether each grower uses organic or conventional growing methods. Scott Killpack, regional agronomy specialist in St. Charles County, said it was easy listing growers in the east-central region of Missouri. "We already had a market guide, in paper form, of growers in the St. Louis area." Killpack said he often receives calls from people looking for locally produced food. "Now, I can say we have a great web page that lists all the growers in the area. This way, it takes just a few mouse clicks as opposed to waiting for days to get it in the mail." North Central SARE Call for Innovative Agricultural Grant Proposals The USDA's North Central Region (NCR) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is calling for collaborative teams of researchers, educators and others to apply for competitive grants to study or educate others about environmentally benign agricultural systems that are profitable and supportive of local communities. Approximately $1.3 million will be available in 2002 to fund creative projects addressing long-term enhancement of food and fiber systems in the 12-state region. "Sustainable farming and ranching systems can offer solutions to many of the problems in agriculture today," said Chris Lietzau, NCR SARE Administrative Council. "We fund research and education projects that address the needs of our regional farmers and consumers who want a better food system." Details of this annual Research and Education initiative are outlined in the Call for Preproposals that include holistic approaches, involvement of interdisciplinary teams, meaningful participation of farmers and ranchers, significant outreach, and an eye for measurable results. Applications are available July 16, 2001, by contacting the NCR SARE office at 402-472-7081, or ncrsare@unl.edu. The Call for Preproposals can be found at www.sare.org/ncrsare/cfp.htm Preproposals are due on Sept 10, 2001. 2001 National Small Farm Trade Show and Conference Nov 1-3, 2001- Columbia, MO 1-800-633-2535 Features of this year's show include: seminars-handspinning wool; produce auction; cold frames; controlling small predators; diversifying your crops; agri-tourism; elk, cooperative hog marketing; meat goats; food circles; weeder geese; free range turkeys; agroforestry; poultry short courses-sheep and turkeys; fruit tree production; pizza farming; and beef co-op demonstrations; exhibitions; panels; association meetings and more... farmers forum-This event showcases Missouri farmers presenting 20 minutes of in -depth information on many different topics which include: Thursday 1. Seed Saving Techniques 2. What's in it for Kids? 3. Using Kaolin Film Particle as a Component of IPM/Organic Apple Production 4. Organic Apples 5. Developing Missouri's Organic Program 6. How to Add Minerals and Nutrients Back to Your Soil 7. Chestnut Production in Missouri Friday 1. Making Goat Cheese 2. Cooking Demonstrations at Farmers Markets 3. How to Sell to Chefs 4. Asian Vegetables at the Farmers Market 5. Starting Out with Straw-Bale Beds 6. Better Results with Bush Cherries 7. Organic Berry Production 8. Controlling Diseases in Wine Grapes with Compost Tea 9. Adding Nutrition to Poor Quality Hay 10. Marketing to the Birdseed Market 11. Gourds 12. Electric Fencing for Predator Control in Raising Pastured Poultry 13. Taking you to the NxLeveL by Tilling the Soil of Opportunity Saturday 1. Creating a Local Foods Store 2. Preserving Diversity through Sand Hill Preservation Center 3. SPAN meeting 4. Light the Way with Soybean Wax Candles 5. Farmer Network: Missouri Chile Pepper Producers 6. MOA meeting 7. Selling Meat Goats over the Internet 8. Organic Beef Production 9. Raising Small Cattle to Match Consumer Appetites 10. Controlled Grazing of Field Crops Green Hills Farm Project Tours The Green Hills Farm Project is a small group of farming families in Northern MO, who banded together to insure survival on the farm, maintain and improve the ecological viability of their land and enhance their overall quality of life. The biggest part is being willing to share. Being willing to open up to others. Willing to learn, share, and help. This is what the group means to us. Please be prompt to the tours. All tours include a potluck meal. Bring a side dish. Host will provide the main dish and drink. July 19-John & Nan Wood, Monticello, MO- cattle. Call 573-767-5397. Aug 16-Michael Sallee, Meadville, MO-cattle. Call 660-938-4400. Sept 20-David Schafer & Alice Dobbs, Jamesport, MO-homesteading, marketing meat, cattle and chickens. Call 660-359-6545. Oct 18-Stephen Helpingstine, Ethel, MO-cattle. Call 660-486-3305. Nov 15-Jim & Dawn Gerrish, Brookfield, MO-MIG cattle system. Call 660-895-5121. *** On the Calendar *** July 17-19-Grant Writing II Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. July 27-Ozark Empire Fair, Springfield, MO. July 31-Northwest MO Vegetable Tour, Platte County, MO (just north of KC) Call Tom Fowler, 816-858-2165. July-Southeast MO Vegetable Tour. Call Tim Baker, 573-888- 4722. July 31-Aug 2-Grant Writing III Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. Aug 2-Greenley Center Crops & Livestock Tour, Novelty, MO. Aug 5-11-National Farmers Market Week Aug 9-19-Missouri State Fair, Sedalia, MO. Aug 17-19-HerbFest 2001, Norway, IA. Call Frontier Natural Products Co-op, 319 -227-7996 x 1286. Aug18-HerbFest Intensive: Cultivation and Ethnobotanical Use of Native Prairie Medicinals, Norway, IA. Call 800-729-5422 x 1373. Aug 25-Midwest Poultry Field Day, Herscher, IL. Call Merrill Marx,an, 815-937 -3233 x 104 Aug 28-Graves Experiment Center Field Day, Corning, MO. Aug 30-Southeast MO Melon Days. Call Tim Baker, 573-888-4722 Aug 31-Delta Center Field Day, Portageville, MO. Sept 6-Hundley-Whaley Farm Field Day, Albany, MO. Sept 14-Southwest Research Center Field Day, Mt Vernon, MO. Sept 27-Grower to Grower: Large-scale Production Systems Workshop, Norway, IA. Call 800-729-5422 x 1373. Sept 27-Herb Disease and Insect Problems Workshop, Norway, IA. Call 800-729 -5422 x 1373. Sept 28-Forming an Herb Cooperative Workshop, Norway, IA. Call 800-729-5422 x 1373. Oct 5-7-Ozark Fall Farmfest, Springfield, MO. Call 800-356-8255. Nov 1-3-National Small Farm Today Trade Show and Conference, Columbia MO. Call 800-633-2535. Nov 2-MO Farmers Market Assn Annual Meeting, Columbia, MO. Call Tammy Bruckerhoff, 573-751-3394. Nov 3-APPPA Annual Meeting (American Pastured Poultry Producers Assn), Columbia, MO. Nov 3-SPAN Annual Meeting (Sustaining People through Agriculture Network), Columbia, MO. Nov 3-MO Organic Assn Annual Meeting, Columbia, MO. Dec 1-Northeast Missouri Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO. Call 660-665-9866. Dec 7-9-3rd Northeast Community Supported Agriculture Conference, Claryville, NY. Email bholtzma@together.net or http://www.csacenter.org Dec 16-18-Governor's Conference on Agriculture, Tan-Tar-A. Jan 4-5-Great Plains Vegetable Conference, St Joseph, MO. Call 816-279-1691. Jan 25-26-St Joseph Ag & Farm Expo, St Joseph, MO. Call 816-378-2449 Jan 25-27-MO Assn of Fairs & Festivals Convention, Columbia, MO Feb 2-4-Midwest Regional Grape and Wine Conference, Tan-Tar-A Feb 23-25-Western Farm Show, Kansas City, MO. University Outreach and Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam -era veteran in employment or programs.