MARIETTA, Ohio - Direct marketing is gaining popularity across North America, both from farmers to increase profitability and from consumers who want to receive fresh, local products.
Ohio State University Extension offices in Licking, Meigs and Washington counties are giving Ohio farmers the opportunity to network and exchange information with other farmers and Extension agents across the country by sponsoring the trip to the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) annual conference and trade show. The event will be held Jan. 16-19, 2002 in Toronto, Canada.
NAFDMA is an organization formed by farmers to assist other farmers across the country in directly marketing their products, whether it'd be beef, vegetable or greenhouse products.
The registration deadline for the bus trip is Dec. 14 for the bus, lodging and conference registrations. Transportation and hotel lodging for three nights (based on double occupancy) is $185 and conference registration is $125. It is cheaper for NAFDMA members. Participants are recommended to allow for about $100 for meals and incidentals.
Topics on the conference agenda include a trade show and workshops on farmers' markets, rural tourism, advanced markets, specialties and on-farm functions. The conference will also include featured presentations and speakers. For more information on the conference log on to http://www.nafdma.com. For more information regarding the trip, contact the Marietta County office of Ohio State Extension at (740) 376-7431.