(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 16, 2007 ) San Angelo, TX - According to the American Farm Bureau, the number of small family farms in the US is increasing. Many of these new farmers are pursuing a dream of ‘life beyond the sidewalk.’ Many of them will investigate alternative agriculture for a source of income on their small acreages. Unfortunately, most of these new farmers do not come from a marketing background.

For farm-to-finish operations such as those in the emu industry, marketing and sales play a big part. The farmer must arrange for processing of slaughter weight birds and either the sale of the raw products or conversion of the raw products into saleable finished goods. “A successful emu operation does not require a lot of space,” states Joylene Reavis. Reavis is the newly appointed chairman of the American Emu Association’s Agriculture Committee. “Most emu operations take up less than five acres. We have companies that can help the farmer turn his raw product into finished goods. Where our members have needed help in the past is in marketing.”

Enter rural marketing expert Ellie Winslow. In her seminars, Winslow shows the farmer how to adapt the concepts and tools used by urban businesses to rural enterprises. “It doesn’t matter whether you are selling livestock, produce, crafts or emu oil products,” says Winslow. “You can improve your rural business by applying tried and true business and marketing strategies.” Winslow taught an Accredited Emu Producer class on rural marketing during the annual AEA convention July 6th in Missoula, MT. “Her class was informative,” says Reavis. “We have had great feedback from our members that took the class.”

Winslow has published several books on business management for rural businesses. Her most recent book, "Marketing Farm Products: and how to thrive beyond the sidewalk," is a mini education in business and marketing with strategies geared to the rural entrepreneur.

For more information on Ellie Winslow, please visit her website at http://www.beyondthesidewalk.com.

The American Emu Association is a non-profit trade association representing the emu industry. The emu industry is an alternative agricultural industry, dominated by the small farmer, who is devoted to humane and environmentally positive practices that will produce beneficial products for society. For more information about the American Emu Association (AEA) or the emu industry visit http://www.aea-emu.org or call 541-332-0675.

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