Many veteran farmers are doing great work producing high-quality food and agricultural products—but building a successful farm business also means figuring out marketing, pricing, and how to reach the right customers.
That’s where a new program called Next Acre: Veteran Farm Business Accelerator comes in.
We’re excited to share some great news with the Veterans IN Farming community. A new program called Next Acre: Veteran Farm Business Accelerator is launching to help veteran and rural-owned agricultural businesses strengthen and expand their direct-to-consumer sales.
joericker@ateaseorchard.com
262-388-1261
Facilitated by At Ease Orchard, the Next Acre program will provide training and technical assistance designed to help farmers grow stronger, more sustainable farm businesses. The program will focus on helping producers expand their marketing strategies and reach more customers through direct-to-consumer sales channels.
For many veteran farmers, selling directly to customers—through farmers markets, farm stands, online sales, and other direct marketing channels—can be a powerful way to grow a farm business. However, navigating these markets often requires new skills in branding, pricing, and business strategy.
The Next Acre program will provide practical support in areas such as:
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Brand development and farm storytelling
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Pricing strategies and value-added products
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Understanding customers and target markets
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Expanding direct-to-consumer sales channels
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Strategic farm business planning
This initiative is supported through the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The FMPP program supports projects that help farmers develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities.
We’re excited about what this opportunity could mean for veteran farmers and rural agricultural entrepreneurs and look forward to sharing more details as the program develops.
To learn more about the Next Acre program, visit:
https://www.ateaseorchard.org/Next-Acre