I have seen many suggestions in the Countryside for people to create some sort of forum or exchange among locals in his or her area.

I took that idea and ran with it! We had tried a newsletter a few years ago but a market analysis proved it to be too expensive. When you live in low populated areas, these things don't work.

We are now doing an exchange by phone and mail. We are hoping to be the centralized phone number to call when you are looking to sell or buy animals or farm equipment in Northwestern Montana/Idaho.

Has anyone done this? We would appreciate hearing from those with experience.

Sorry, we are staying local. We can't help anyone out of the immediate area. We were just looking for some advice. Please feel free to e-mail us.

-- Christina (crublee@homer.libby.org), November 19, 2000

Answers

Have you also checked to see if enough people locally have e-mail? If any at all do I would think that the e-mail notification would be the least expensive way to notify them. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), November 19, 2000.

Yes, Gail, we do use some e-mail. We have local individuals who do not have internet access or telephones. It is important to us that we provide every possible way for our members to connect.

Our mailing is a once a month report on what we are doing: current postings, and news/articles. It is for members who would like to keep track of who has what.

This is works especially well for farming members trying to find those individuals who want to purchase beef, pork, or mutton on the hoof. Normally, these individuals do not take a great deal of time to search for local cattle, pigs, and lambs. I want to make it as convenient as possible for these individuals to know who is selling these animals.

The report was also created to help local businesses reach specific customers: farmers and ranchers. We provide the opportunity for small amount of bulk mailing these businesses cannot get elsewhere. Most bulk mailing services do not handle mailing lists with less than 1,000 names. Most businesses here cannot afford such services in an area of 2,800 people.

I appreciate your response. And look forward to more advice. This forum has always proved to be very helpful. Thanks!

-- Christina (crublee@homer.libby.org), November 19, 2000.

Here in NH the Farm Bureau puts out a monthly newletter/classified. You have to pay $50/year to be a Farm Bureau mamber to advertize in it, or to receive the newletter, but it does get passed around a lot - - several families could pitch in for the cost of a subscription, I suppose. Anyway, if you are a Farm Bureau member, you can advertize all you want for free, following their guidelines about what can be advertized, of course. You might want to also put up a listing every month in the local feed stores for people who haven't heard about your service yet.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 20, 2000.

Kathleen, We do this 6 days a week. That means if you want to sell a steer on the 15th of the month, you do not need to wait for the monthly report to come out on the 5th of the next month to advertise. You call us on the 15th, and we post it immediately. Anyone calling in to our exchange can hear about the posting of the steer starting with the very next call.

And we do not charge $50 a year. That is too high for most individuals in this area. We charge just one fee for six months of free postings, monthly reports, and phone-in assistance. We also do research for people who need various answers. Just the other day, I sent free material to a new member about Boer goats. It is another free service we provide.

Basically, we have been doing this for free for years. We are just asking members to help cover our costs, and join an organised group so we can widen our knowledge of what is for sale and who wants it!

I know NH well. Montana farm support agencies do not have the money or the manpower that can even start to compare with states such as NH, VT, or NY.

We currently have no Agricultural Agent. We will have one on a part- time basis soon. The extension service does not have this type if system in place. It has not had a budget for a newsletter for years.

In Montana, individuals such as ourselves, normally take up the slack of our local agencies. In this way, not one dime is wasted, and we do not live upon state and federal programs. It is a way of life that encourages small businesses and locals to take charge of their own needs. It is a system that can be inadequate at times, but it appeals to most Montanians!

Thanks for responding. We feel your responses will enable us to give the very best service to our members!

-- Christina (crublee@homer.libby.org), November 20, 2000.

Sorry. I didn't mention that we do this only after 8PM at night and anytime Saturdays. In other words, after we all have done our chores and have the kids in bed. We are a couple of plain folk just trying to help our neighbors and ourselves sell and buy farm products in an easier manner than is currently being done in our county. Anyone intereted in started up their own "exchange" is welcome to contact us. We will help all we can! One goal is to establish support for the smaller homesteaders and farmers in our community and beyind!

-- Christina (crublee@homer.libby.org), November 20, 2000.