These case studies are a culmination of a four year project to document Idaho, Washington and Oregon farmers, with the following goals:

1. Food System Assessment Using a modeling system, we will document the contribution of the local food supply to total food consumption in each of the three Northwest states and in three select counties. We will investigate the potential social, environmental, and economic benefits of community based efforts to source more food locally.

2. Profitability of Direct Marketing Strategies Across the Northwest, farmers are employing innovative strategies to develop local markets for their products. Through interviews and farm case studies, we will evaluate the performance of farmers’ markets, on-farm sales, CSAs and direct-to-retail as profitable and sustainable farming strategies.

3. Farmers’ Market Improvements We will evaluate the effectiveness of farmers’ markets for vendors, consumers and communities. We will learn the factors that separate vibrant from languishing markets. We will use research teams of market managers, board members and other professionals to identify the key organizational factors necessary for success.

4. Regulations & Infrastructure Addressed Farmers, managers of commercial kitchens, food and livestock processors, and organic certification agencies will be surveyed to identify policy and regulatory barriers to direct marketing at federal, state, and local levels. We will develop recommendations for addressing the barriers identified and suggest guidelines for improved success rates.

To learn more about Northwest Direct, download the brochure

Idaho Farms Profiled

M&M Heath Farms- Mike and Marie Heath have been farming in Buhl, Idaho since 1979.  Total farm size is 450 acres, of which they own 18.  The farm is Idaho certified organic on 200 acres with the remainder either in transition to organic or non-certified organic.  Primary production is in organic potatoes and other vegetables with secondary production in beef, eggs, pastured poultry, grains, orchard fruits, berries and flowers.  Direct marketing strategies include; farmers’ markets, a CSA, direct to retail sales and direct to processing sales.  In addition, 60% of the food consumed in the Heath household is produced on the farm.  Click here for the full case study.

Greentree Naturals- Located in Sandpoint Idaho, Diane Green and her husband Thom Sadoski have been farming on the same property for the last 17 years.  They started out with just a couple of acres in production and have been slowly adding additional acres.  They are now farming organically on 12 acres- of which 100% of the products grown and raised are sold through direct markets including 2 area farmers’ markets, a vegetable CSA, a flower CSA, and direct sales to retail, restaurants and caterers.  Products include a huge assortment of vegetables, fruits, berries, flowers, herbs, eggs and pastured poultry.  One of Diane’s specialties is garlic, which she sells as both a raw product and as ornamental garlic braids.

Diane has been selling at Sandpoint Farmers’ Market since 1987 and they have operated and managed a CSA since 1996.  Restaurant sales have also been a vital component of Diane’s business since 1993.  She is known by farmers across the United States because of her practical guide on “Selling Produce to Restaurants.”  Click here for the full case study.

Meadowlark Farms- Janie Burns, the owner/operator of Meadowlark Farm, originally came from a farming family and reintroduced herself back into farming on a small acreage basis in 1989.  She started by growing fruits and vegetables on her Nampa, Idaho farm and selling them through a CSA and the Boise Farmers’ Market.  Since then she has transitioned to and specializes in lamb.  She sells whole lamb cuts as well as 4 different types of sausage along with poultry and egg sales at the Capital City Public Market in Boise.  She also sells her products on-farm, direct to retail and through a multi-farm CSA.  Click here for the full case study.

Riley Creek Farms- Blueberry sales are the name of the game for this operation in Laclede Idaho.  Riley Creek Farm has 5 acres of blueberry production as well a small garden for customers to pick through and several rows of vegetables and blackberries.  On this sustainable operation, chemical fertilizer and pesticide use is purposefully at a minimum.  Stan Urmann, owner/operator turns his excess berries into several value added products such as blueberry jams, toppings and syrups- which leaves him with 26000+ lbs to sell through his direct marketing channels.  Direct marketing channels include; farmers’ markets, on-farm, u-pick and direct to retail sales.  Click here for full case study.

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