Developing new products and markets requires a significant effort and commitment, typically greater than is initially thought. The first step in any venture is to determine how serious you are about this venture and if you are truly prepared to commit the time and resources necessary to be successful. If other people are involved, it is critical that they be in agreement and motivated to make it a success. Part of the initial assessment should determine if the venture will complement or take away from other activities. Will it provide synergies and improve the efficiencies of existing operations or will it conflict with other efforts.
Suggested Resources
http://www.agcanada.com
A
website with information on markets, weather and farm news
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/iidea/
IDEA-Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in
Agriculture-was created by University of Illinois as a statewide initiative.
IDEA conducts research, develops educational products, and provides services
that encourage farmers to incorporate entrepreneurial strategies which direct
their marketing efforts to meeting consumer demand.
http://susag.cas.psu.edu/default.html
A website to
server as a sustainable agriculture information center which highlights ongoing
activities in sustainable agriculture.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome
USDA provides comprehensive market and trade data research
and reports. Users can utilize the numerous databases to search by product or
country. Forecasting is made possible with the in depth reports produced by
USDA. The Economic Research Service provides key indicators, outlook analysis
and a wealth of data on the U.S. food and agricultural system. Along with
information on farming practices, structure and performance.
http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/default.html
The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center is an
electronic, national resource for producers interested in value-added
agriculture.
http://www.nama.org/
This
website by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) allows you to connect
with other leading industry professionals - in marketing, advertising, public
relations, media and more - to gain a unique perspective.
http://www.agrimarketing.com/
Published
since 1962, AgriMarketing is the only magazine that covers the
unique interests of corporate agribusiness executives and their communications
agencies, the farm media, and the trade associations that serve the
agricultural industry.
www.farms.com
Agriculture
news, commentary, weather and markets.
http://www.progressivefarmer.com/farmer/
See the “Farming as a business” section for
relevant articles on managing a farm in today’s economy.
http://www.sustainablemarketing.com/
A unique website on sustainable marketing,
organic marketing, environmental marketing, and green marketingservices, information, and
education. This website is a unique
community of sustainable and green marketing entrepreneurs – making connections
to each other — and to customers.
http://www.adfarmonline.com
A
full-service marketing communications agency 100% dedicated to agriculture. We work only with agricultural clients to
help achieve their business and marketing goals.
www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/agecon.htm
Purdue Extension website.
Numerous articles available for market research on a wide array of topics.
www.agmrc.org/agmrc/
National information
resource for value-added agriculture, business development, research,
commodities and products.
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Recommendations 
