Helping individual Ag businesses promote CT grown products

GOAL
• Promote CT agricultural products, to increase market share and profitability
of individual Ag businesses
• Increase the awareness and enhance the image of the CT Agricultural Industry:
• To consumers ("CT Grown") and the wholesale and retail market chain
• To opinion leaders (including the leaders of government agencies and
the legislature)

HOW WILL THIS INITIATIVE BE ACHIEVED?
What needs to happen to get started?
• Educate individual CT Ag businesses on the importance, need and value
of developing a strategic marketing plan.
• Use newsletters, signage, brochures and point-of-purchase.
• Initiate consumer research to determine consumer usage and attitudes

What resources are needed?
• Out source a qualified marketing firm
• Enhance and utilize the "CT Grown" program, by establishing a proactive
marketing plan.

What problems/hurdles need to be overcome?
• Raising funds for the implementation phase
• Getting industry support to understand the need for a "product driven" approach.
• Qualifying "CT Grown"

How will CAB gain support from individual CT Ag businesses?
• Develop a model program to demonstrate how it works
• Educate individual Ag businesses on how to develop their own branded product
marketing plan
• Enhance the "Connecticut Grown" program that stands for the many products of
a diversified Ag industry.
• Create community interface to advance positive imaging

How will the initiative become self-sustaining?
• Participation will require a user/royalty fee (branded/label/seal)