Product | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: April 11, 2024

Alternative Sources of Payment

Producers often think of their sales in terms of marketing outlets - farmers markets, CSA shares, farm stands, restaurants and institutions, and retail outlets. But there is also substantial sales potential with clients that may be using alternative forms of payment. These include EBT cards with SNAP benefits, senior coupons, market bucks, or other market incentives to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Updated: April 11, 2024

Agritourism

Agritourism refers to the act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education, or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation. Agri-tourism is increasingly popular in farming communities near urban areas.

Updated: September 6, 2023

Trending Enterprises in Maryland

Updated: March 9, 2023

Chapter 3: Marketing challenges and opportunities

Chapter 3: Marketing challenges and opportunities is part of the online publication "From Surviving to Thriving: Strategies for Urban Farm Success. There are many marketing opportunities for urban farmers. When agriculture can take place literally in the customer’s backyards, this high visibility in a populated area can attract a wide variety of customers. Urban producers still face the challenge of competing with farmers from peri-urban areas that have more land, can produce greater volumes of product, and have lower cost of production.

Puzzle pieces laying over a city building.

Updated: March 9, 2023

Women In Agriculture Webinar Series on Risk Management: Marketing

This webpage is the Marketing archives of the Women In Agriculture webinars.

Updated: December 1, 2022

Maryland Niche Meats and Poultry Producers Online Directory

This directory is developed jointly by the Niche Meat and Poultry Producers and the Ag Marketing Program of the University of Maryland Extension. This directory serves as a way to connect buyers, consumers, producers, and market masters to fresh, high-quality farm-raised meats from Maryland producers. For ease of aggregating suppliers, this directory has been organized by product, though many producers offer multiple products. If a listing includes “USDA,” it applies only to Beef, Bison, Chevon, Lamb, and Pork.

Updated: November 1, 2022

Food Processing in Maryland

Are you a specialty food entrepreneur? If so, check out the Food Processing in Maryland module. This invaluable module provides information about how to sell and process food in Maryland. This module will include rules for specific foods and important regulatory information. Our interactive map of Maryland's regulatory environment provides you with location-specific contacts.

Updated: August 10, 2022

Turning Out Your Product: From Food Safety to Marketing, There's a Lot You'll Need to Know

This report breaks down the necessary steps to develop your product and bring it to market in accordance with Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's regulations and recommendations. The author discusses the legal aspects of operating a specialty food processing business in Maryland, including obtaining the necessary license and complying with regulations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. The 30-page report also provides detailed information on the many requirements for business operation, including proper labeling, obtaining UPC codes, working with a co-packer, and acquiring the correct equipment.

Updated: July 14, 2022

Maximizing Apple and Peach Profits with Preventative Bruising Practices

Although harvest is one of the most frantic times of the season, peak harvest time needs to be balanced with preventative practices to help ensure that the crop has optimal quality for satisfying consumer demands, and to ensure profitability of the operation. The degree of fruit quality can be highly determined by the preharvest, at harvest and postharvest practices in an orchard. Profits can be maximized by producing appealing fruit, by minimizing fruit damage and loss. Authors: Morgan Jacobs, Candidate for B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology and Dr. Macarena Farcuh, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist University of Maryland, College Park

Fig. 2. Apple harvester wearing a hard bucket with a soft, padded interior located right below mid-chest level. Source: Emily Elconin, Getty Images.

Updated: March 11, 2022

Chevon

This webpage is part of the Maryland Niche Meats & Poultry Producers Online Directory.