Cornell Cooperative Extension

Oneida County
Check out your local Farm Stands, U-Picks, and Farmers' Markets for fresh in-season strawberries!

Marketing

Marketing is much more than just selling a product. A successful marketer identifies the right product for the target market; finds the right place to market that product; develops an appropriate promotional message; and prices the product to ensure maximum profit.

For farm producers, different marketing strategies will be essential depending on whether you are marketing commodities to a wholesale market or specialty products direct to the consumer.

For additional pricing, economics and marketing information also visit the Specific Crops pages.

Contact

Maryellen Baldwin
Farm Business Manager
mfw73@cornell.edu
(315) 736-3394 x177

Last updated February 2, 2023

Farm Business Management

Marketing Commodities

Commodity farm products - from field crops to milk and livestock - compete in regional, national and global marketplaces. Knowing current commodity prices and trends is essential to managing a business producing commodity farm products.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange

U. Illinois - Marketing and Outlook

Cornell - Agribusiness Outlook

Federal Milk Marketing - NE Marketing Order One

Hay Reports

Direct Marketing

Farmstands and farmers' markets are traditional venues for direct marketing farm products to consumers. In recent years other approaches, including CSA models (community supported agriculture) and buying clubs (often using online ordering systems) have become increasingly important means of marketing farm products. Farmers who sell direct to consumers take on the responsibility of branding, customer service, and other marketing functions to sell their products; in exchange they may be able to realize greater profits by eliminating the middle man.

Farmers' Market Federation

Growing for Market

ATTRA Direct Marketing

Guide to Direct Marketing Livestock & Poultry

Pricing

For many agricultural commodities, prices are set in the global marketplace. But for direct marketers or marketers of specialty crops, setting the right price can mean the difference between profit and loss. These tools can help you make the right pricing decision.

Agricultural Prices (USDA)

Events

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