Farmers Marketing for Consumers

The consumer model is constantly shifting, with many customers today focusing on what is known as “conscious consumerism”—the buying practices driven by a commitment to making purchasing decisions that have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact.

So how can farmers use this knowledge to make important decisions on what and even how they are growing and how can they make the most of this when selling their products?

Short value chains play a key role in the emerging food networks that are continuously arising as an alternative to the globalized agri-food model. The diversities and particularities of the experiences existing all over the world like farmers’ markets or on-farm selling, have attracted a growing interest from academia and policy-makers due to the nature of these initiatives, as well as for the socioeconomic, territorial and environmental scope.

Join us to hear from experts in this field who can provide advice and stats which just might make you think how you as a farmer can capitalise on these insights or how you as a consumer can influence things in the food industry.

Timings:

8.45am : Networking

9.00am : Welcome & introduction

9.10am : Keynote address 1 – Lincoln University, Mark Wilson

Share examples of short value chains and the benefits and drawbacks of these initiatives. Why is conscious consumerism rising and what effect will this ultimately have on the ag industry? Where are short value chains successful in the world, can we draw any conclusions from these to implement here in New Zealand?

9.30am : Keynote address 2 – Liz Morley, Research First

Share your definition of conscious consumerism and why you think it is becoming more important for the ag industry. Provide statistics on consumer opinions of short value chains. What advice can you give to farmers looking to implement and adopt new practices to fit in with consumer trends?

9.50am : Keynote address 3 – Charing Cross Sheep Dairy, Sue Trafford

Share your journey on how you have used what you know about your consumers to diversify your farm. How has your initial idea changed based on information about your consumers throughout the process of getting it to market.

10.10am : Panel discussion/Interactive Q&A session with audience

10.30am : Speaking finishes, networking

11.00am : Event finishes