The “Ag Exchange” – Boosting Business for Local Agriculture

summer 2012 081

Now open, the “Ag Exchange” (http://agexchange.cce.cornell.edu/) by Cornell Cooperative Extension (http://ccecapitalregion.org) is a new and simple online agricultural classified service and ag business directory.  Through this one exchange farmers in the mid- and upper Hudson Valley will be able to buy, sell, or rent any agriculture-related product or service.  Property owners will also benefit since it includes land and facilities rental.  It is not for retail sales.  The Ag Exchange classified is designed to facilitate wholesale business among our traditional dairy, beef, field crop, fruit or vegetable farms, bees and maple, as well as the new and developing farms involved in brewing, distilling, artisan products, organic production, and non-GMO animal feeds.

The Ag Business Directory portion is provided for commercial ag businesses to list their contact information and a link to their website.  Along with our traditional machinery and feed dealers, smaller businesses, from hoof trimming to fencing, can also be listed to advertise their products and services. Businesses are asked to make an annual donation to support CCE and the Ag Exchange and to link the CCE regional website to their homepage.

The Ag Exchange is an easy to use, blog-based system.  No password is required and you do not have to create any “accounts”. To look for a product or service, simply click on the category you want.  To post an ad onto the Exchange, simply read the “terms of use for the Ag Exchange”; click on the button “Post Ad”; select the county you are from; select the category for your ad; and enter the appropriate information.  You can also post images of your item.  Before your classified or directory listing is posted to the web, you will receive an email to confirm you are the person making the post to the Ag Exchange.  It is very simple.

Local agriculture is very active. Many farmers have been asking for a service like the Ag Exchange. It may include other regions of New York beyond the mid- and upper Hudson Valley once it gets established.  It will be a great boost for all farms in the local agricultural community. To use the Ag Exchange, simply go to (http://agexchange.cce.cornell.edu/).  If you have questions or comments, please contact Aaron Gabriel, (adg12@cornell.edu, 518-746-2560) or Amy Sabbatis, (als77@cornell.edu, 518-668-4881).

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