New Tool! Market Options Matrix

ISED and ORR thank Anna McHugh, an ISED/ORR Intern, for compiling the following document. Anna is pictured above at her home in Montana.
 
MARKET OPTIONS: A DECISION MAKING MATRIX
 
 The purposes of the attached Market Option Matrices are to help farmers identify some of the significant variables that can impact his or her decision about how to best market and sell production. Each marketing option has implications in terms of planning, production, transportation, time requirements, etc. Local farm advisors can use the matrix as a starting point for advising farmers on the options to be considered if he or she plans to sell under a particular venue.  Ideally, the Market Options Matrix can assist a farmer to develop a plan that incorporates most of the elements of production, marketing and business.
 
This matrix is not intended to be an all inclusive document. There are obviously other variables such as geography and climate that also impact on farmer decision making. Rather, the attached document is simply a starting point for producers and their advisers to use as they begin the conversation about selling and marketing.
 
The information in the attached matrix was gleaned from several documents from programs across the county, including a soon to be released USDA Agricultural Marketing Services paper on market risks and opportunities. As an ISED intern, Ms. McHugh worked one day each week at the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement. Guidance for this activity was provided by Larry Laverentz of ORR and Daniel Krotz of ISED.