Document text
Farmers will gather in Medford Several hundred farmers are expected in Medford starting today for the Pacific Northwest Farm Direct Marketing Association's convention and trade show. The show is geared toward farmers who sell their crops directly to the public through farmers' markets, at their farms or at special events and festivals. The convention begins with sight-seeing tours today and tours of local direct-marketing operations like Harry and David's Country Village, the Farmer's Market in Phoenix, Gary R. West Meats in Jacksonville and Meyer Orchards in Talent. The main convention program runs Friday and Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Medford. The cost for the sessions is $40. Sessions are divided into three tracks: farmers markets, on-farm sales and selling at special events and festivals. There will be presentations on topics such as marketing perennials, getting people to visit your ranch on a shoestring budget, merchandising in a small way, and what to do with your farm in the offseason. A number of Rogue Valley farmers are scheduled to make presentations, including Camille Mayersky of Central Point's Pleasant View Farm, Larry Geraci of Medford's Fresh Express, Don and Doreen Bradshaw of Central Point's 7 Oaks Farm, Dave DeVorss of Jacksonville, Jacie Tate of Jacksonville's Howling Moon Farms and Matt and Jennifer Watson of Medford's Red Tail Acres. The Pacific Northwest Farm Direct Marketing Association has about 150 members and is based in Pasco, Wash. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA