linking agricultural and seafood markets · a list of upcoming grant workshop dates and locations...
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MARKETMAKER DEBUTS IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE PARTNER WEBSITE SEARCHES
Since premiering MarketMaker 4.0 in October 2014, we have been talking to our state partners to collect requirements and better understand the evolving needs of each MarketMaker user. Your feedback has led to several new improvements.
On February 5, upgrades to the state partner website searches were unveiled and used for the very first time. Each state partner website search now includes a keyword search functionality, which enables you to perform basic and advanced searches. The new basic search filters allow you to search across multiple business types, which include buyers, fisheries, food banks, processors, and more. The new advanced search filters allow you to narrow your search within a single business type. While searching for buyers in a particular location, you can target specific buyers by selecting filters for product preferences, transportation details, certifications preferred/required, buying/sourcing region, and more.
In addition to this expanded keyword search functionality, search results appear faster and can be displayed according to your viewing preferences.
Linking Agricultural and Seafood Markets
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IN THIS ISSUE
Improvements to State Partner Website Searches
Local Food Grant Application Assistance Workshops
2015 Southern SAWG Conference
Increase Connectivity and Internet Skills in Ag Industry
American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention
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MarketMaker | February 2015 | FoodMarketMaker.com
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LOCAL FOOD GRANT APPLICATION ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS
Are you interested in applying for federal funding to develop, improve, or expand a farmers market, community-supported agriculture (CSA), other direct-to-consumer marketing outlet, or a local and regional food enterprise like a food hub, distributor, aggregator, processor, wholesaler, or shared-use kitchen? Not sure how to get your application started or feeling stuck in the application process?
Learn how to develop and submit your federal grant application for the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) at one of dozens of grant assistance workshops around the country organized by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in partnership with Agricultural Marketing Service Technical Assistance (AMSTA) Project being implemented by the Regional Rural Development Centers in collaboration with state extension services. The USDA announced on January 27 and again on February 4, that grant assistance workshops for applicants to FMLFPP are currently available in 44 states and the District of Columbia between late February and late April—with more workshops to be added soon.
A list of upcoming grant workshop dates and locations can be found on the AMSTA workshops page. Some of the workshop sessions will be recorded and available for online viewing.
Advanced Search: Basic Filters Advanced Search: Advanced Filters
The search functionality, list of results, and map of results can all be collapsed or expanded for your preferred view. Search results can also be sorted by distance or relevance depending on your preference and now include directions to the resulting businesses.
Additionally, the search page is responsive like the rest of the state partner website, meaning that the page adapts to the device that you are using when you visit the website. Whether you are visiting MarketMaker on a desktop computer, a tablet, or phone, you will have the same experience and functionality across all of these devices.
MarketMaker is dedicated to continued improvement. Stay tuned to the MarketMaker newsletter for the latest news regarding website upgrades.
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SOUTHERN STATES REPRESENT MARKETMAKER AT 2015 SOUTHERN SAWG CONFERENCE
Alabama and Arkansas MarketMaker representatives attended the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group’s (SAWG) 24th annual conference on January 14–17 in Mobile, AL.
Aiming to provide practical information for those producing organic and sustainable food on a commercial scale and for those working to improve local food systems, the conference included four full days of activities.
Pre-conference activities began Wednesday, January 14 and consisted of assorted intensive short courses, mini courses, and field trips. A broad range of topics were covered including agri-tourism, farm-to-school and community/school farm and aquaculture programs, beekeeping, marketing, profits, regional food policy, and disease management for produce.
Weekend conference activities began on Friday, January 16. Attendees enjoyed educational presentations, networking sessions, poster displays, and a trade show. The conference concluded with the Taste of Alabama banquet dinner on Saturday evening, which featured food grown by sustainable and organic farmers in Alabama.
Click here to read summaries of conference courses and presentations on the Southern SAWG website.
Planning for 2016’s Southern SAWG conference is already underway and full event details will be available in October. Sign up for the Southern SAWG e-newsletter for the latest information.
Beth Walton spoke to conference guests on behalf of Alabama MarketMaker.
The Arkansas MarketMaker booth was manned by the University of Arkanas’ Ron Rainey.
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USDA AND MENTOR UP AIM TO INCREASE CONNECTIVITY AND INTERNET SKILLS IN AG INDUSTRY
Whether you are interested in buying fresh produce, selling livestock, searching for equipment, transporting foodstuffs, or looking for a specific service, the Buy & Sell Forum will connect you to other industry members in all 20 participating state networks.
We want to share your MarketMaker experiences with the entire Partner Network by including them in the MarketMaker Newsletter. Email your success stories, tips for new users, hot topics, and current events in the agriculture industry.
Buy & Sell Forum
In the Field
On the Ground
In the Field
Buy & Sell Forum
In the Field
On the Ground
In the Field
BROWSE ADS SUBMIT CONTENT
2LISTINGS
BUY
64LISTINGS
SELL
3LISTINGS
OTHER
According to the most recent US Census of Agriculture, nearly 33 percent of American farmers do not have Internet access. Of those that do have access to the Internet, just 40 percent use it to promote their agricultural enterprises.
However, a new program from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $190.5 million in grants and loans to change that. These dollars will fund projects to improve broadband Internet access and communication infrastructure throughout rural America. The USDA’s Rural Development Telecommunications Headquarters plans to do this by constructing better and more expansive networks that will bring Internet access to rural communities and farmlands.
In order to encourage the use of newly established Internet connections, the AARP Foundation has created Mentor Up. This program, which counts the 4-H Council as one of its partners, aims to empower and coordinate young people to teach older generations to use the Internet. If you are new to the Internet or would like to improve your skills in order to better promote your business using MarketMaker and other online resources, please visit www.MentorUp.org to learn about programs in your state.
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MARKETMAKER NATIONAL NETWORK:
4ALABAMA
4ARKANSAS
4COLORADO
4DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
4FLORIDA
4GEORGIA
4ILLINOIS
4INDIANA
4IOWA
4KENTUCKY
4LOUISIANA
4MICHIGAN
4MISSISSIPPI
4NEBRASKA
4NEW YORK
4OHIO
4PENNSYLVANIA
4SOUTH CAROLINA
4TEXAS
4WYOMING
MarketMaker Co-founders Richard and Darlene Knipe and Riverside Research Program Manager Danny Hayes attended the 2015 American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show January 10–14 in San Diego, CA. Comprised of nearly six million members from across the nation and Puerto Rico, the AFBF is the largest general farm organization in the country. The yearly convention offers an opportunity for all members to gather together for business, educational, and networking opportunities.
Richard, Darlene, and Danny manned the MarketMaker booth and enjoyed assorted educational workshops during the three-day event. The team was pleased to network with an assortment of industry leaders, corporate partners, and subject matter experts.
Are you interested in attending next year’s event? Visit www.AnnualConvention.FB.org to learn more about the 97th annual conference and trade show, which will take place in January 2016 in Orlando, FL.
MARKETMAKER ATTENDS AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION ANNUAL CONVENTION
Richard Knipe educates an AFBF convention attendee on the benefits of MarketMaker. Photo credit: American Farm Bureau Federation.
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Linking Agricultural and Seafood Markets
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