Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Local food producer website workshops

Project ID: M2008-19

Abstract

The project aimed to help small producers and other local food businesses learn to use online tools to market their products and form stronger relationships with their customers.

Key Question: Can hosting free hands-on website building workshops and providing technical assistance help local food producers establish a web presence to grow their businesses and strengthen their online marketing?

Findings: Many producers find that online marketing is a valuable addition to their business plan. Offering motivated producers the opportunity for hands-on training and one-on-one technical support will help them successfully and affordably create and maintain their own web presence.

Lead investigator: Brad Crawford, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development

Year of grant completion: 2011

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Community-based food systems, Market research and feasibility studies