Be honest : As a farmer , how often do you ask yourself what your customers really value about your commercial enterprise ? How much time do you take to guess about them , what they want from you and how ? Chances are , not enough .
I ’m certainly as guilty as anyone of this . For a foresightful time , I grow only what I want to grow , and then propose that to the customers , but over the last duet of years , our farm has started to reexamine that approach . Competition is increase , and the novelty of local food feels like it ’s weary off a little . Just being a small , organicfarm is no longer enough .
That said , it should have never been enough . We should always be striving to provide our customers with what they want , not what we desire to grow or advance . How do we decide what that is ? Here ’s how we venture into that bit of discovery on our farm .
Make Ballots
At the end of the 2015 season , we put together a ballot for ourCSA client . On this ballot each client could vote in or out any particular vegetable . If they did n’t care aubergine or we give way too many capsicum pepper plant , for representative , they could let us do it . We made it anon. and asked for honest criticisms . What we learn was that , indeed , we ’d given too much of sure crop . Others , not enough . But we also learn something we had n’t thought about . multitude wanted more fruit in their basketball hoop . We gave some apples and watermelons that year , but yield had not been something we ’d really put a plenty of thought into . Although we ’d always wanted to grow more fruit , had we never put out these ballots , we may never have really made it the focus that we do now .
Have Dinner
The idea of eat with people to whom you ’ve sold nutrient may voice a little funny , but it is not uncommon for sodbuster to dine with their client . Few experiences can help you tounderstand how your food for thought is usedonce it go forth the market than model down at the board of those who buy it . Being able to sit at the table of a client and hear what they like , what do n’t like , and what problems and questions they have — all of this can shed Christ Within on the experience of being your customer , inform your work as the farmer . As an add together bonus , you ’re able to lend them the perspective of what it takes to grow that food for thought . That is surely something many customers value .
The Facebook Group
Every farm should have aFacebook group . you may place one up with relative simpleness , and the group leave your client or extremity to chat about their food for thought and experience , share recipe , and require question . loosely speaking , there are few better ways to get a candid peep into how people are actually using the food than these group , so long as the mathematical group is being used . What it takes to get a good group going is effective engagement . Make absolutely sealed that your die - unvoiced customer are there and posting often . Also , check that that you ’re also taking part . rent with your customers in this way , giving them perhaps a glimpse into their farm that the residuum of your societal medium does n’t get to see , is an splendid agency to start the conversation of “ What do you desire ? ” and “ How are we doing ? ”
Just Ask
Do not be timid about asking how customers are enjoy the nutrient you spring up . It ’s elementary , and it works . Be specific , too , when seeking out information . Do you like these Daucus carota sativa , they ’re a young variety ? How do you feel about these paste tomatoes ? Anything you ’d like more or less of ? Do n’t put anyone on the spot — just be sincere . Certain customer may always be content or shy about how they really feel , but you should be able to somewhat promptly flush out the good critics .
Knowing what citizenry desire may take some time and piece of work , but there ’s just a good recipe for creating a long - live business .
