question for Darrell: What methods have you used to determine your markets?

I haven't read your book yet (I hope to win one!) and perhaps this is covered there, but I am interested in learning how one goes about determining markets and choosing what products to offer. What adaptations have you had to make in order to meet your market?
Thanks!

Hi,
We have been selling produce for 25 years almost. We have a good climate for greens, lettuces, salad crops and such, while marginal for tomatoes and peppers and so forth. So we developed a crop mix we could produce well organically and found restarutants and grocers who appreciated our crops. then we added a small subscription sales part of our business to help balance or crop rotations. We do keep in communication with our clients to be sure they are happy with our cropsand try new things each year. ,

Thanks, Darrell!

Would you say you have developed a "signature" salad mix or you give your customers choices between what greens you have chosen to grow?
Are saying you use a combination of direct sales as well as CSA? Do you also attend farmers markets or have a farm based market?

Valerie,
We have defintely developed a signature salad, and can not grow enough to meet demand, even at $14 per pound. Our "Salad of the Season" changes with the seasons and usually includes wild edibles. Yes, we have both direct sales to restaurants and a small csa. I prefer the phrase produce subscription to CSA. A CSA originally meant the farmer was guarenteed and income by a community, whereas we guarentee subscribers the value the prepay. We do not sell to farm markets. Almost everythng we harvest is preordered. Some years we have weekend sales on the farm, depending on the work crew and annual plan.

Thanks so much, Darrell - really helpful answers!