In this issue:

Welcome!

Spring Insect Updates

Marketing Fruit and Vegetables

Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2003

MFVGA Proceedings Available

Internet Marketing Guide Available

IPM and Sustainable Agriculture Resources

Revised Vegetable Pesticide "Plant-Back" Updates for 2003

Internet Marketing Guide Now Available!

The USDA announced in January the release of a new publication designed to assist agricultural producers in marketing their products via the Internet. "How to Direct Market Farm Products on the Internet" provides basic information to farm direct marketers who are interested in selling their products online or using a Web site to publicize their farm or products.

"For agricultural producers, the Internet can help solve problems of time, distance, and location in marketing their products." Said A.J. Yates, administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman also announced in late January that USDA will expand efforts to bring farmers, rural residents, and businesses greater access to improved telecommunication technology through the financing of more than $1.4 billion in loan and loan guarantees to rural telecommunications providers.

Many farm direct marketers are turning to online marketing to increase their customer base.

The publication addresses issues to be considered before adopting the Web as a marketing tool, as well as tips on how to research the Internet market, set up a Web site, and market products on the Web. The publication is available in print and on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/MSB/msb.htm. For more information or to obtain a copy of the publication, contact Errol Bragg, (202-720-8317) or Errol.Bragg@usda.gov.

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Research Fellow, University of Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu

Disclaimer
Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer

Last Revised May 22, 2003.
The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer.©2002 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.