Maryland Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Agreement Number: 15-SCBGP-MD-0024 Annual Report Submitted: 12/22/2017 Resubmitted: 04/16/2018 Program contact: Karen Fedor Sr. Agricultural Marketing Specialist Phone: 410-841-5773 Email:
[email protected] Page 1 FINAL REPORT Project Title: Maryland’s Best: Promoting Maryland’s Specialty Crops PROJECT SUMMARY Maryland’s Best specialty crop promotions encouraged consumers from Maryland and Washington DC to seek out and purchase Maryland grown specialty crops through strategic promotions and advertising with radio, TV, print and online media. In addition, promotions were held in Massachusetts to increase sales of Maryland watermelons in that region. The specific specialty crops promoted using this grant include nursery and greenhouse plants and flowers, strawberries, wine, the Buy Local Challenge, watermelons, peaches, apples, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. As competition increases for markets and consumers’ dollars for Maryland specialty crop growers, Maryland’s Best specialty crop promotions are more and more critical to the industries success. Promotions were planned with specialty crop associations that represent the industry in order to assure that the timing of the marketing assistance is available when needed the most. ACTIVITIES PERFORMED 2016 Specialty Crop Advertising Plan Month Target Promotion Target media Web Visits April Fruit and Vegetable WYPR 5,263 CSAs (***) is made possible by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Maryland’s Best program, informing listeners there is still time to sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture share and enjoy fresh local fruits and vegetables all season long. To find a C-S-A farm near you, marylands best dot net.