The document provides an overview of Sunshine Organic Consulting, a sustainable agriculture advising agency. It discusses their mission to promote holistic and systems-based farming approaches. The agency aims to enhance their market recognition and grow their clientele through initiatives like an advertising campaign, educating consumers, and expanding their online media presence and target markets to include backyard homesteaders and mid-sized commercial farms. The document also notes some challenges the agency faces.
Thank you for being here and listening to my presentation on my 2012 marketing and communications plan for Sunshine Organic Consulting
Sunshine Organic Consulting is A sustainable Ag advising agency. empowering farmers, gardeners and the public to understand food systemsEssentially: Me My background is a lifetime of agricultural experience, having worked in farms across the globe, with conventional and a variety of sustainable farming techniques.
The mission is to increase the health of the land and the bounty it produces. Working to ensure each property has minimal impact on the surrounding environs; be it other farms, housing, native habitat or community. We use farming as a tool for environmental stewardship, conservation and rehabilitation.
Provides holistic direction, education and clarity for farmers and gardeners and the public
Farming style born out of reports I was writing to clients – evolved from their questions about how the farm worked and why I recommend particular farming methodsHolistic system that moves beyond traditional farming
Systems farming is important because of it’s value in Mitigation ofIncreasing Climate InstabilityIncreasing Economic InstabilityAnd EnsuringSecurityFoodHealthResourcesWaterSoilSystems farming works because of the ROI it offers. Instead of causing more damage to our ecosystem and economy it offers a chance to improve the ecosystem, feed large populations and increase the resiliency of the environment.
Grapes are the core of my business operating in the North bay and the crop I was raised and trained with -The grapes on the right is a new vineyard… with a potentially devistating problem: VirusRow Crops range from flowers to chard this chard is harvest at a the sonomawaldorf school where I volunteer
I work with a lot of orchards and they are my favorite Easiest to work with in systems farmingPicture of the apple flowers – looks health… but it’s not the bark is black should be tan/greyWorking with biodynamic treatments to help boost the orchard healthPicture on the left is from an annual apple tasting we hold with various clients
A key to ensuring a health farm or garden is a healthy environment:IntegrationBringing Wildlands BackProtecting NativesRepairing Damaged LandsAnimal HabitatMitigation of Climate VariabilityWhile it can be expense initial outlay the cost in mitigating erosion damage and avoiding pesticide applications the payback period is generally under 5 years.
Extremely important to me and outside the scope of the farming consultants is Community Relations – It is key to economic stability.I work with clients to ensureFair Wages & BenefitsHealth & Safety plans are in placeFarming budgets are balancing and ROI’s are workingConsideration of up and down stream communities is ensured – good neighborly relations ensures long term viablity
I work with local schools Public – ClassesProperty Owners – Managers - StaffLocal Government – Legislation & city GovernmentsTo ensure a proper understanding of agricultural & food system issues is obtained
Farmers looking to improve their sustainability. Conventional farmers Certified farmers. Struggling Conventional Farmers North Bay Area.Urban Homesteaders to 250 acresInnovative and proactive clients
IndirectDo it Yourself Farmers/GardenersLarge Acreage farms with in house expertiseManagement Company oversightDirectLarge Agricultural Consulting FirmsSpecialized Sustainability Agricultural Consultants
Beyond creating a logo, building a public image is key to improving market share and public recognition
Create CohesionMessaging contentIncrease FollowersPost at least twice a week
NetworkingEventsClient RecommendationsTurnkey handbook for “Do It Yourself Farmers” - Master Training ProgramRetain ClienteleImprove communicationsAdvertise for them through social media
Local Sustainable Safe Food Systems
My three key challenges are:Selling myselfCharging for KnowledgeGrowing Customer BaseThis is where I need help, and maybe a partner