Small Farm News You Can Use

Rick Hartmann

PFI is in its second year as a partner in the USDA-funded North Central Initiative for Small Farm Profitability. Outcomes for the project include case studies of farming strategies that work. Below are links to three of the Small Farm case studies and a market research report. Additional case studies and research reports are available on the initiative’s main websites at www.farmprofitability.org, or http://www.foodmap.unl.edu.

The Marketing Potential of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) in cheese: A Market Scan
Conducted for two Wisconsin cooperatives, this report provides insights into cheese buyers responses to cheese high in CLA. It also contains background information on CLA, useful not only for cheese/dairy producers, but others interested in other products high in CLA. http://www.farmprofitability.org/research/cla/index.htm

Puget Sound Fresh
The Puget Sound Fresh marketing campaign encourages restaurants, retailers and consumers in Washington’s Puget Sound area to buy locally grown farm products. Initiated by King County, the project now involves 200 farms, 11 farmers’ markets, and 165 stores. http://www.foodmap.unl.edu/report_files/Puget.pdf

Straight Arrow Bison Ranch, Nutritional Meat Raised on a Family Farm
A Nebraska couple raises 60 head of bison for fun and profit. This case study explores the challenges they’ve faced as they began their business venture. http://www.farmprofitability.org/research/sabranch/sabranch.pdf