Increasing revenue opportunities for small and mid-size farms through a unique, data-driven personalized marketplace that integrates locally-grown food sales with agritourism experiences

Institution: Universal Schedule and Booking  Our product builds a digital bridge between small to mid-size farmers and consumers while simultaneously collecting valuable real-time data on the desires and expectations of consumers. This data will inform the production and marketing decisions of farmers leading to increased opportunities for direct-to-consumer sales and income generation in the rural communities where many small to midsize farms are located. In this Phase I study we will determine the feasibility of new technology for customers and small and midsize farmers that accomplishes sustainable direct-to-consumer sales in profitable ways through determining the key features of the App to develop to support farmers using the application and driving consumers to the marketplace. We will then develop these features into an easy-to-use digital application. Opportunities facilitated by this product include creative place making direct-to-consumer agricultural economies agritourism-commerce innovations that connect farmers with consumer markets and off-farm value-added Agricultural development. These new or enhanced economic activities will directly benefit farmers by providing a direct-to-consumer virtual marketplace for agricultural products increasing awareness of agriculture by urban customers and providing new sources of income for agricultural producers. Our project advances the goals of Topic 8.12 Research Priority 2 Development of New Marketing Strategies for Small and Midsize Farms.