A “Butcher Cut Sheet” is a set of instructions for the butcher detailing how you would like a certain piece of livestock to be cut, processed and packaged. Cut Sheets can apply to various types of livestock (e.g. cows, pigs, goats) and game (e.g. deer, moose or bears). But, “Cut Sheets” are most popularly utilized with a cow or pig.

The most successful Independent Farms offer their products for Pre-Order ahead of season, to capitalize on market demand, simplify their harvest schedule and to increase cash flow. There are some simple steps to help your Farm sell out before harvest. To begin with, you must build a base of local Buyers eager to pre-order your goods, market to them regularly to stay top-of-mind, and offer an easy ordering system - online and in-person.

Farmers Markets are a great way to interact with your local community, build a base of loyal Buyers, increase Brand awareness, and form partnerships. However, there are several mistakes that successful Farmers are glad to share with others to avoid. To ensure a profitable visit to the Market, follow these best practices to minimize your losses.

Bennett Farms, Michigan sells pastured proteins direct to their community. Through in-person and online sales, Tom Bennett has maintained a 6-figure business while supporting his six kids. Tom serves 29 Farmers Markets a week across three states during peak season. Over 7 years, he has cracked the code on best practices for seamless booth prep, attracting new Buyers and converting customers to online sales.

Your Farm Brand is the sum of Buyer interactions with your business that help your Farm stand out and differentiate your products from other alternatives. Your Brand should reflect the foundations of your Farm - from how you raise your products, your commitment to quality, to your relationship with your local community.

Farms selling Direct-to-Market find success in offering convenient pick-ups and home delivery options to local Buyers. This can spur purchases from busy customers, attract new Buyers through word-of-mouth marketing and reinforce their support of local businesses. Farm delivery day does not have to be a stressful ordeal. Simplify your delivery day routine with systems designed to prep all orders in advance.

In 2020, Joe made the switch to Barn2Door’s software built for Farmers. Instead of using analog records or a horizontal ecommerce solution (formerly Shopify), he moved the business to an order management solution, designed to support Retail (consumer) and Wholesale (restaurant) buyers. While Joe has seen other Farms constrained by commodity prices, he has maintained premium prices for his products by selling Direct-to-Market.

Julie and Michelle joined forces in 2019 to bring sustainable Farm products to their community in Texas. Now, Veteran’s Liberty Ranch serves Buyers throughout central Texas, with in-person and online sales.

Every Farm is different, selling varying products, serving different markets and establishing their own, unique business plan. However, to scale and increase sales for your Farm business, it is important to implement tactics that have proven successful across the country.

In 2021, Benoit Family Farmstead made the decision to partner with Barn2Door to expand their reach to access new Buyers with Farm eCommerce and streamline their operations. The Farm has been able to add more products and serve their community, without having to spend extra hours in the office.

Farms in all 50 states find success in online and in-person marketing, such as weekly newsletters, social media posts or physical flyers and word-of-mouth. The opportunities to market your Farm business to your local community are endless, but to stand out, consider creative marketing strategies to attract potential Buyers.

We’ve captured a quick synopsis of how your Farm business can leverage Barn2Door to accelerate your growth, recapture your initial costs, and build a more resilient and profitable Farm business.

With email marketing, you will have the ability to communicate with Buyers straight in their inbox. You can tailor your message depending on the type of Buyer, actions you desire and current events on the Farm. Independent Farmers ‘own’ their customer base, so it is essential you know how to effectively market and communicate to encourage loyalty and purchases.

Independent Farmers have more freedom in their business. Instead of relying upon auction houses to purchase products at commodity prices, they have full control. When selling direct, you determine the prices and packaging, meaning you can optimize your profit margins (and still move all your products).

Email is a powerful tool to spur Farm sales, driving up to +30% larger order sizes. Buyers want to know about your Farm and get information in their inbox, somewhere they look every day. Taking advantage of the power of email is one of the best ways to propel your Farm business to the next level.

Though every Farm business is unique, it is helpful to gain insights from successful Farmers who have been in your shoes. Ensure you are prepared to start your business, by taking crucial steps to organize your Farm operations and grow strategically. Trying to change too quickly may result in failure, while avoiding all risks may put your Farm in a box. Rachel Shenk recently shared how their Farm started and successfully scaled in a matter of years.

Growing a microgreens business for profit is now accessible for most Farmers, as they have become popularized. Selling microgreens may be more nuanced than common produce, since some Buyers are still unaware of their advantages. It is important to plan ahead of selling microgreens, and to be prepared for the growing process, as well as marketing them to your local community.

With software built for Farmers, you can now be prepared in any situation. Barn2Door recently debuted the ability for Farmers to edit Subscription quantities for Buyers with the click of a button. Whether they need more or less product in a given week, you can apply that to their order details on your online store. Built with Farmers in mind, editing Subscription quantities gives more power back to Independent Farmers to control their sales commitments.

Barn2Door released a Point of Sale (POS) device in early 2023, giving Farmers the ability to accept an array of in-person payment options, and connect in-person purchases to their online store. The POS will sync inventory, payments and customers across a Farm’s online and in-person store. With the Barn2Door POS, Farmers can offer wholesale and retail pricing to Buyers, apply discounts or promos, and include a tipping option. As an independent Farmer, it is crucial that you have the power to customize your sales, no matter where they occur.

Every business has a Brand. Your Farm Brand reflects your values, practices and mission. Each aspect of your marketing should revolve around your Brand image - from the imagery you share to your communication with Buyers. We recently talked with Josie from Dan & Debbie’s Creamery to discuss the importance of a Farm Brand, how to establish your Brand and how to effectively market it to Buyers.