Great Region Diversified Ag Survey

Welcome to the 2015 Great Region Growers’ Survey

Are you looking to tap into new markets, save on distribution and grow the agriculture community of Aroostook, Washington and Piscataquis counties? If so, you can help by taking a few minutes filling out this survey. Increasing connections between local production, market development and efficient distribution of products is the focus of a recently awarded Rural Business Development Grant from the U-S Department of Agriculture. We want to learn directly from growers about the challenges and opportunities of participating in a regional farm production and distribution initiative.

This 15 question survey, developed for Aroostook, Washington and Piscataquis farmers, by Northern Maine Development Commission, Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, and the Sunrise County Economic Council, should take approximately 10 minutes for you to complete. For your time, we will enter your name in a drawing for a $150 gift certificate.

Individual responses will not be shared. Instead, responses will be aggregated without identifying individual farms or farmers. The information will be used to develop of a plan to improve farm production and distribution across the state.

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* 1. Address

Name

Farm Name/Company

Address

Address 2

City/Town

County

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number

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* 2. Total Acreage Planted:

Less than 25

25 to 100

More than 100

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* 3. What is the farm's primary market? (You may select more than one)

Direct to consumers

Wholesale to distributor

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Where are these markets? (You may select more than one)

Local

State

Out of State

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* 5. What is the distance to your primary market?

Less than 20 miles

20-100 miles

More than 100 miles

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* 6. What do you grow or produce? (Please list in order of prominence)

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* 7. How do you get your product to market? (You may select more than one)

Own vehicle

Distributor, e.g. Crown of ME or similar

Contract

None required

Other (please specify)

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* 8. How would you prefer to get your product to market? (You may select more than one)

Pick up at farm

Pick up at local collection point

Cooperative Effort

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Which of following, if any, delivery or transportation challenges do you face? (You may select more than one)

Truck or delivery vehicle needed

Driver needed

I can not take time away from my farm to make deliveries

No access to cold storage

No access to refrigerated trucks

I already have the means to deliver

If feasible, would you consider cooperative deliveries?

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Which of the following barriers exist to selling your products locally/regionally? (Please select all that apply)

Finding customers

Not enough revenue from current markets

Ability to have regular and consistent supply

Lack of understanding of selling directly to customers

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Would any of the following be helpful to you in selling your products? (Please select all those that apply)

Publication of a farmer/grower directory

Local/Regional "Local Foods" marketing campaign

Meet the growers events downstate

Other (please specify)

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* 12. If your primary challenges were resolved and additional demand or markets open, would you be interested in increasing production?

Yes

Don't know

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* 13. Are you interested in expanding sales to additional markets?

Yes

Don't know

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* 14. What kinds of assistance would help you to begin or expand sales? (Please check all that apply)

Aggregation

Access to a food hub

Access to an off-site processing kitchen

Access to storage

Market Analysis

Assistance with grants

Other (please specify)

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* 1. Address

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* 2. Total Acreage Planted:

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* 3. What is the farm's primary market? (You may select more than one)

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* 4. Where are these markets? (You may select more than one)

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* 5. What is the distance to your primary market?

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* 6. What do you grow or produce? (Please list in order of prominence)

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* 7. How do you get your product to market? (You may select more than one)

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* 8. How would you prefer to get your product to market? (You may select more than one)

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* 9. Which of following, if any, delivery or transportation challenges do you face? (You may select more than one)

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* 10. Which of the following barriers exist to selling your products locally/regionally? (Please select all that apply)

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* 11. Would any of the following be helpful to you in selling your products? (Please select all those that apply)

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* 12. If your primary challenges were resolved and additional demand or markets open, would you be interested in increasing production?

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* 13. Are you interested in expanding sales to additional markets?

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* 14. What kinds of assistance would help you to begin or expand sales? (Please check all that apply)

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* 15. Additional comments