Grassroots Approach to Ag Marketing

Michigan Growers Promote Agriculture From the Ground Up

[caption id="attachment_3254" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Carole and Red Christofferson enjoy sharing knowledge about agriculture with their customers.[/caption]

Carole and Red Christofferson love their farm, and agriculture in general. The former high school teachers bought their farm 50 years ago just outside of Ludington, Michigan, on the sandy, rolling hillsides about five miles from Lake Michigan. Today, Christofferson Farms produces some of the most beautiful fruit you’ll find in western Michigan, including peaches, sweet and tart cherries, plums, apples, raspberries, blackberries and more.

Ag Marketing Starts On the Farm.

[caption id="attachment_3255" align="alignleft" width="375"] Christofferson Farms is a member of Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)—a voluntary program that helps farms prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks.[/caption]

The Christoffersons are active participants in the Mason & Oceana County Agricultural Trail—a group of 17 ag-related businesses and sites in the two counties located on the shores of Lake Michigan. The group’s purpose is to spread the word about this unique agricultural area that includes 1,000+ farms covering over 206,000 acres. And given the fact that only 2% of Americans live on working farms, the Christoffersons believe it’s important to share knowledge about the current state of farming.

“We love telling people about our crops and our farm,” says Carole, who has been selling fresh fruit from Christofferson Farms at the farmers market in Midland, MI, for the last 30 summers.

With the help of Red’s science knowledge from 25 years teaching high school chemistry, Christofferson Farms takes a progressive approach to sourcing and growing the best varieties. “We ordered 200 trees to plant next spring,” says Red, who will turn 80 in January.

The Christoffersons have three employees—all of whom have been with them 20 years. Their young grandson is now part of the farm venture, growing and selling pumpkins and squash with guidance from his granddad. So when local residents or tourists stop by the farm to pick berries or fruit, they’re getting the products of a true family farm.

Year-Round Commitment to Agriculture.

Though it’s a very busy growing season at Christofferson Farms from about April through September, Carole and Red enjoy relaxing winters in Yuma, AZ. But it’s not a total break from agriculture. Yuma is known as the “winter lettuce capital of the world,” supplying 90% of the nation's leafy vegetables between November and March. “We just really enjoy following ag,” says Carole, who serves on a committee promoting agriculture in the Yuma area.

Click here for more information about Christofferson Farms.

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Whether it’s a small family orchard or a major regional cooperative, VistaComm’s ag journalists like Jane Wooldridge really know…and love…agriculture. Want to tap into this ag marketing expertise? Contact VistaComm today at 800-657-8070 to start the conversation.

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