Marketing Berries Feb 2 2012

• Designs and manages high tunnels, climate control systems, and solar thermal heating technology

• Five high tunnels in Minnesota and Wisconsin

• Produces organically certified tomatoes, peppers, blackberries, raspberries, herbs, and leafy green produce

• Decades of agriculture and engineering experience

Scenic Valley Farms

No problem with marketing blackberries in North Central states • Wholesale Produce Buyers** • Grocer Cooperatives** • Restaurants** • Supermarkets/Retail Outlets • Community Supported Agriculture

(CSA) • Farmers Market’s* • Value Added Products • Schools and Universities • Joint Ventures**

– Partnership with buyers – Partnership with investors

Market for the Farm’s Produce

**Primary Markets

How do you market?

• Call buyers and bring sample produce to touch, hold, feel and taste

SVF sent this form to current &

potential customers in an attempt to “nail

down” their future produce requirements

• Web based e-commerce (operational on SVF website)

• Provides up to date information on fresh produce for sale

• Orders processed by credit card, check, or money order

• Buyers communicate order notes to producer

• Joint venture members given priority access to produce

• Designed for wholesale buyers, restaurants, grocer co-ops

• Open to registered users who complete a profile

Online Produce Market

High Tunnel Ag Competition -Veggies

• Field grown - organic – 1-2 months a year

• Hydroponics – not organic but locally grown – 10 months a year – In region for 10 years – Evolved to fill gap when field grown organic not

available – Locally grown hydroponics has become acceptable at

certain Coops

What are we to do??? Taste and nutritional tests of hydroponic vs field grown