History of NJFDMA
The New Jersey Farmers' Direct Marketing Association, Inc. (NJFDMA) was conceived in 1984 with the guidance of Dr. Morris Fabian, Ag. Marketing Specialist at Rutgers Cook College, Rick VanVranken and Elaine Barbour, county extension agents, and Ronald Good, NJ Department of Agriculture. Under the leadership of the Association’s first president, Richard Lee, the new organization became involved in numerous activities concerning direct farm marketing. Although leadership and activities have changed through the years, the Association has remained strong and committed to its objectives.
In 1990, with the impending resignation of Dr. Fabian as Secretary and guiding hand, the Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the leadership of the then-president Gloria Stevens.
From the beginning, NJFDMA has been heavily involved in the Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference (MADMC), a five-state, annual educational event held in February, hosted by a member state, on a rotating schedule. Participating are each states’ extension services, departments of agriculture and direct marketing associations. The member states are New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
In 2014, VisitNJFarms website was updated as a joint project with the New Jersey Farmer's Direct Marketing Association, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey and the New Jersey Farm Bureau. This website is a great resource for consumers and tourists looking to plan their next visit to New Jersey farms. The site features farm descriptions, social media, websites, photos and videos of New Jersey Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association members and other farms in New Jersey, highlighting their products, services and information about upcoming agritourism activities and events. Consumers and tourists can discover what fruits and vegetables are in season and where to find the farm that grows them by county, farm name, or keyword search. Directions can be sent via Smart Phone.
In 1990, with the impending resignation of Dr. Fabian as Secretary and guiding hand, the Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the leadership of the then-president Gloria Stevens.
From the beginning, NJFDMA has been heavily involved in the Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference (MADMC), a five-state, annual educational event held in February, hosted by a member state, on a rotating schedule. Participating are each states’ extension services, departments of agriculture and direct marketing associations. The member states are New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
In 2014, VisitNJFarms website was updated as a joint project with the New Jersey Farmer's Direct Marketing Association, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey and the New Jersey Farm Bureau. This website is a great resource for consumers and tourists looking to plan their next visit to New Jersey farms. The site features farm descriptions, social media, websites, photos and videos of New Jersey Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association members and other farms in New Jersey, highlighting their products, services and information about upcoming agritourism activities and events. Consumers and tourists can discover what fruits and vegetables are in season and where to find the farm that grows them by county, farm name, or keyword search. Directions can be sent via Smart Phone.
|
Former President John Hauser addressed Annie's Project NJ Marketing Conference for Farm Women about the Importance of Retail Farm Marketing & the NJFDMA |