A simple Google search for pumpkin patches in the Lexington area turned up a real surprise. Pumpkin Patches & More is a local online farming network offering a listing of all the pumpkin patches and farms in the area. Not only that, but the site also offers Autumn recipes, canning tips, Halloween supplies and a list of area Christmas tree farms as well.
What does this have to do with Lexington area farmers? First of all, here's the definition of the word 'network':
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"An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support."
An online farm network is a website that provides a list of local farms and let's those individual farms have a portion of bandwidth to promote their own products. For example, looking at their list of farms that are currently harvesting pumpkins you'll find a listing for Boyd Orchards in Versailles. The listing includes their contact information, their picking schedule, a list of the produce and services they provide and even a calendar of activities – including their Pumpkin Festival.
From there, you can click on a link that takes you to the Boyd Orchards website at BoydOrchards.com which provides even more information about the farm and it's offerings.
If you already have a website, why join an online farm network?
Having your own website is almost a must these days if you want customers to find you. The only thing people use the Yellow Pages for is to prop up a toddler at the dinner table. But if you already have a website, why should you bother joining an online farming network?
Networks are great because they handle their own site promotion with the search engines. And they often rank higher than any of their members' individual sites. For instance, searching for 'Pumpkin Patch Lexington' turned up quite a few results for individual farms that have their own website. But the number one listing on the page was PumpkinPatches&More.org and that will be the first site that most searchers will go to for information. Most won't even look at any other site because of the wealth of information found at PumpkinPatches&More.org.
If you already have your own website you know how difficult and time consuming it can be to try to keep your site listed on even the first page of search results. Listing your farm's website shouldn't be looked upon as an alternative to promoting your own website, but as an additional source of traffic and revenue.
No matter what size your farm or what types of food products you produce, if you want to increase your exposure, then join at least one online farm network. PumpkinPatches&More.org is a good place to start because they promote Kentucky farms and websites.
But you can also list your farm at a number of websites that have national listings such as LocavoreNetwork.com and LocalHarvest.org. These types of online farm network sites list farms from every state so people who may be visiting your area from out of state can find you before they even leave home.
As more an more people join the Buy Local movement it's becoming even more critical that if you don't have a website for your farm, you at least join a few of the online farm networks. Buying locally grown food and supporting the local farmer is becoming a way of life in for people all across the United States and you don't want people driving right by your farm while on their way to another farm that DID join an online network.
For more information about small farm websites:
Should you add a blog to your business website?
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