Direct marketing, as it relates to agriculture, is defined by the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) as selling directly to consumers—individuals, families, restaurants, tour groups, big companies, and others. Because direct marketing is well-suited to small- and medium-scale enterprises, people can begin operating and profiting with volumes that might otherwise be too small for conventional marketing outlets. Anyone wanting to begin selling directly to consumers, restaurants, or schools should put together a comprehensive business plan that identifies short-, medium- and long-term goals and includes information on products and services, markets and distribution channels, and marketing. Read the eXtension article Direct Marketing Channels & Strategy for Organic Products for more information about direct marketing. To learn more about direct marketing, visit these sites: • Direct Marketing • North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) • A National Information Resource for Value-Added Agriculture • USDA Farmer Direct Marketing

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