2007 PRESS RELEASES
November 9, 2007
DECEMBER 1 SET AS DEADLINE FOR DIRECT MARKETERS TO LIST IN 2008 VIRGINIA GROWN GUIDE
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804.225.3820
Calling all direct marketers who sell agricultural products directly to the public. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has set December 1, 2007 as the deadline to submit information about farm, market, orchard and other direct marketing operation to the Department for the 2008 Virginia Grown Guide to Pick-Your-Own and Select-Your-Own Farm Products. This is the last chance to let the public know the details about product assortments, locations, hours, and special features through the popularity and wide distribution of the 2008 Guide.
Consumers value the Virginia Grown Guide as a listing of sources for the Commonwealth’s delicious fresh-grown products, including berries, vegetables, garlic and herbs, peaches, grapes, melons, honey, apples and pumpkins. It also lists sources for plants, flowers, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, organic or sustainable products, Community Supported Agriculture, group or school tours, and farm vacations.
Thousands of copies of the Guide are distributed throughout the state, free to consumers via tourist information centers, libraries, Extension offices, and chambers of commerce. VDACS quickly fills consumer requests for the Guide generated by newspaper articles, TV and radio segments, and special promotions. In addition, VDACS includes direct marketing listings online, with a hot link to the listing’s Web site. Any direct marketer may submit information to webmaster@vdacs.virginia.gov for a free listing on this site.
The cost of a listing is $50 but the benefits are incalculable. The Guide reminds regular customers about direct sale offerings and the latest additions while introducing new customers to the fun and function of buying directly from the grower or producer. With detailed information at their fingertips, consumers find it easy to take advantage of the information in the Guide.
To sign up to list your direct marketing operation in the Guide, click either farms or farmers markets. Or contact Cathy Belcher via phone at 804.786.4046, via fax at 804.371.7786 or via e-mail at cathy.belcher@vdacs.virginia.gov.