Around my area there are many farmers. Most of these farmers are getting older and their children are beginning to run the farming business full time.
With this new generation comes a technological group that wants to do things the easy way as opposed to, “The way things have always been done.”
This group buys grape harvesters, box drills, and GPS guided, Air Conditioned mechanical planters.
This group also goes to farm shows to see the new equipment, and they don’t just buy from the hometown store anymore. This group buys where they get the best deal, including the internet.
How do you hold market share with this new group? The same way you did with their fathers.
This new generation wants to be shown special respect for their dollars spent, and you can give them that.
Your business cards are as important as ever. You need to realize that this younger generation needs to see your value immediately, not in 10 years. You need to “wow” them with what you can offer them immediately.
If you sell farm equipment, show them the value of having to employee less employees and immediately cutting payroll costs.
If you sell new fertilizer, show them how much more money they will get out of the crop by using your fertilizer.
Most of all, give them at least one business card, and leave them with the phrase, “Call me when you are ready to take your farm to the next level.”
That, after all, is what this next generation of farmer is ready to do!