February 26, 2009

Markell Unveils New Way to Connect Farmers, Consumers

Web sites give new marketing opportunities to Delaware's agricultural industry

CAMDEN – Delaware is using technology to better connect farmers with customers and boost the state’s agriculture economy, Governor Markell and Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee announced on Thursday.

“It is never easy being a farmer, but it is especially difficult given the historic challenges we face,” Markell said. “Delaware's vibrant agricultural industry is essential to our economic success, and my administration is determined to do all it can to help farmers through these trying times.  Not only will these innovative Web sites assist farmers, but they will also provide the rest of the state with easy access to fresh and healthy local produce.”

The first site, Defoodtrader.org, allows farmers to create free listings that will identify any food item that is ready to sell. The second site, Deagtrader.org, enables producers to buy, sell, and trade everything else that can be found on the farm from items such as hay, manure, and livestock, to agriculture jobs and other services needed on farms.
Consumers visiting the sites will be able to search through listings within specific categories and communicate directly with the Delaware farmer to buy the food right at the farm, market or another preferred location.

“One of the biggest challenges farmers face is connecting with customers, and these new Web sites make the buying and selling process easier and more efficient,” Kee said.  “By aiding farmers and increasing the demand for locally-grown food, the Web sites will generate economic growth in the agricultural sector as well as the rest of the state.”

In addition to giving farmers new customers for the fresh produce, the sites also make it easier for Delawareans to eat healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables.  

“This is expected to increase attendance at Delaware’s farm markets and will ultimately increase the demand for locally grown fresh food being sought by retailers, hospitals, and area schools.” said Joanne Throwe, Associate Director of the Environmental Finance Center and creator of the sites.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture has been working with the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center, the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and Delaware State University Cooperative Extension on the creation of the two new Web sites dedicated to expanding market opportunities for smaller, independent farms in Delaware.

The sites are based on similar successful sites in Maryland, Foodtrader.org and Agtrader.org. Launched last summer, these two Maryland sites together have almost 700 members and over 100 listings.

Defoodtrader.org also features a function that allows consumers to make a donation to a Delaware community food program simply by purchasing food from the Web site.  Other added features of both sites include a directory for businesses and a resource section showing a calendar of events and important news for the Delmarva agriculture community.