Rural Storefront Project

Sandy Patton displays some of the products produced by local vendors and artisans

For the past year, Project Manager for the NRCS Resource Conservation & Development program (RC&D) Rural Storefront Project Sandy Patton has been working with local Nebraska businesses to see if storefronts and an on-line store would be an effective means for selling products produced by local vendors and artisans. The study has concluded and the findings summarized by students from the College of St. Mary’s and by staff at the Nebraska Business Development Center in Wayne.

Initially, two of the five test businesses plan to carry local products which include everything from soy candles to lotions, beef jerky, note cards, paintings, and pottery. Owners of an on-farm cheese factory are also considering carrying the many products at their outlet.

The on-line store, still in the planning stage, is considered another viable means for selling locally-produced products.

Sandy plans to share her merchandising plans with local vendors, businesses, and artisans at a Spring into Summer Festival to held later this month at the Plainview RC&D office. Approximately 40 vendors of Nebraska products will participate.
Your contact is Jan Jorgensen, NRCS RC&D coordinator, at 402-582-4866.