Diversification can mean planting new crops or shifting to a different mix of crops and livestock, developing new products or services or targeting new markets. New products and marketing strategies State and local governments and agricultural organizations are helping growers create and market specialty products such as cheese, wine, preserves and sauces, potato chips and cereals. Several states are investigating the feasibility of public commercial kitchens that could serve as incubators for farm-based food businesses. An organization in Virginia is developing a brand of local farm and seafood products, and an organization in Maine is experimenting with selling farm products on the internet. Agritourism Several state and local governments offer workshops for farmers who are interested in developing recreational businesses.
Agricultural tourism is increasingly popular in farming communities near urban areas.
These services bring in new customers and promote farm products. Grower Cooperatives Growers who sell wholesale can increase their access to lucrative markets by forming cooperatives. Cooperatives can also offer a diverse selection of products to retailers at a competitive price. Most agricultural economic development strategies are designed to help producers increase revenues, but a few help them cut costs. A project in Vermont is training dairy farmers to implement pasture-based management.