Microgreens are gaining popularity across America among consumers and chefs alike. With increasing awareness of their nutrient-dense properties, local demand for the tiny greens is rising. However, consumers are unaware of the unique nuances Microgreen Farmers face: short growing times, differing maturing rates, and their highly perishable nature (to name a few!).

At Barn2Door, we’re proud to provide an all-in-one solution to help Farmers grow and manage their business. We recently sat down with Caleb, an individual passionate about the connection between agriculture, technology, and finance. In this edition of our Employee Spotlight series, we’ll learn more about Caleb’s journey, how he’s contributed to Barn2Door’s growth, and how the company's mission inspires him.

Growing a Farm business means investing in building customer relationships. To create long-term success for your business, it’s essential that Farmers “own their customers.” What does this mean? Your Farm needs to possess all the customer details and contact information of all your buyers (versus relinquishing that relationship to a third-party distributor).

There are many nuances to growing and managing a Farm business. Even more so, when a Farm takes the risk of building a new line of business (direct-to-market), with the ambition of building a viable business for the long-term.

It’s easy to stick with a familiar routine. Getting a booth at your local farmer’s markets is a common avenue for many Farmers to initially attract potential new buyers and grow their brand awareness. Some days at the market will be fruitful, while others can be long and result in a small number of sales (failing to even cover the costs of attendance).

Barn2Door is committed to supporting Farmers and providing access to the best resources to grow and manage a Farm business. We are thrilled to announce a partnership with the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF), which is committed to helping Farmers navigate the unique legal challenges of the industry — as laws, regulations, and legislation constantly change and vary across state lines.

At Barn2Door, we know how important a Farmer’s Brand is to attract customers, build loyalty, and establish your Farm as a business. A logo has the power to communicate your Farm’s values, create a connection between you and your customers, and distinguish your Farm from the competition. That’s why we’re introducing Farm Logos as an in-house Barn2Door service.

Your Farm can thrive by focusing on local efforts. As 90% of retail and wholesale Buyers would rather purchase from local producers versus a commodity product, it’s essential that your Farm is well-positioned to attract and build a loyal base of local customers.

Expressing gratitude with a tip is no longer an act of civility, it has become the norm in the service industry. Whether grabbing a coffee at a local cafe or receiving Food delivery at home, buyers are accustomed to providing a tip for the products and services they receive.

We’re introducing the Barn2Door Marketing Toolkit ($19/month) to help Farmers implement a winning marketing strategy without the need to spend hours of time planning. When Farmers subscribe, they will regularly receive seasonal materials and assets each month, including images, graphics, and sample copy and prompts to use in emails, newsletters, and social media posts.

When Farmers and Ranchers pivot to selling direct-to-market, they can often increase their margins from 30% to 80% (versus wholesale). However, before making the transition to direct sales, it’s essential to set your business up for success. Here are some tips to follow as you prepare your Protein Farm for the direct market.

Communities are essential to the ongoing growth and stability of Farm businesses. Now, more than ever, Americans are eager to make personal connections with local Farmers to feel more confident and secure about the source of their local food.

With the New Year around the corner, it’s essential to take the winter months to prepare your business for the busy season. With increased awareness and demand for local foods, keeping buyers engaged with your Farm now will help your business secure customer commitments in the future.

The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) was founded in 1987 and is the leading organization in providing education, advocacy, and technical support to Native American Farmers and Ranchers across the United States. In 2020, Barn2Door partnered with IAC to support their promotion in the conservation and development of agriculture for the benefit of Native Americans.

Beginning in 2020, Barn2Door entered into a strategic partnership with ACRES USA -- one of the oldest agricultural publishers --- to advance the efforts of production-scale organic and sustainable farming. Over the previous five decades, ACRES USA has helped “Farmers, Ranchers, and market gardeners grow organically, sustainably, and without harmful or toxic chemistry.”

The holidays are typically the busiest time of the year for your customers. In addition to the holidays to celebrate, it’s essential for your Farm to prioritize connecting with your audience. Why? The more your Farm stays top-of-mind, the more likely customers will place an order from your Farm in the near future.

In 2021, Barn2Door made it even easier for Farmers to grow and manage their businesses. We’re delighted to support millions of transactions across 1000’s of Farmers in all 50 states. We are constantly soliciting feedback on additional capabilities that Barn2Door can build to help Farmers succeed. We’ve highlighted 5 Barn2Door Features that have made it possible for Farmers to increase sales, access more customers, and save time in 2021.

A Farm Brand is a highly valuable tool to drive loyalty and fuel sales. In fact, 43% of Buyers will spend more money on brands they trust! An investment in your Farm brand is vital to your business long-term.More than just a logo, your Farm brand is the cumulative experience customers have with your business in person, online, through emails, and while shopping and consuming your products.

Hayton Farm Berries is a 5th generation Farm located in Western Washington that grows and sells organic berries, grass-fed beef, lamb, and free-range eggs. Last year, when Angelica Hayton became a Barn2Door Farm Advisor, we sat down with her to learn more about her decision to sell direct with Barn2Door.

At Barn2Door, we work with 1000’s of Farmers across the country and have the data to understand what works and what doesn’t. We know that farming is a unique industry with specific needs, and the best way to learn is from your peers. That’s why we recently launched a new Connect Program, giving Farmers the opportunity to learn from other Farmers.