What if there was a way to instantly get in front of new customers who are already primed to trust you? In today’s episode, we’re digging into the power of collaborations—one of the smartest and most underused marketing strategies for farmers. You’ll hear real-life examples of creative partnerships that drive sales, grow your audience, and build deeper community connections—without spending a ton of money.
What You’ll Learn
-
What a collaboration looks like in farm marketing (with tons of inspiring examples—from mocktail nights to pop-up dinners to recipe card partnerships).
-
How to “borrow the trust” of another brand’s audience (and why that matters!).
-
Simple, low-lift collaboration ideas you can try this season—online and in person.
-
How to plan, pitch, and execute a collaboration that actually helps both partners succeed.
-
The key mistakes to avoid when collaborating (so you don’t waste time or burn bridges).
-
Smart ways to turn a one-time collab into a recurring campaign.
Today's Podcast Guest:
Erika Tebbens, Taste the Local Difference
Erika Tebbens is the Director of Impact at Taste the Local Difference and a marketing expert with twenty years experience running businesses of all kinds, including farming and beekeeping. TLD is a woman-owned and woman-led marketing agency for purpose-driven food and farm businesses. Before joining TLD, Erika spent a decade working with entrepreneurs on their sales and growth strategy as a highly-respected business consultant for entrepreneurs.
👉 Learn more at LocalFoodMarketing.com
Podcast Sponsors:
Local Line:
Local Line is my preferred e-commerce platform for farmers. Are you looking for a new solution for your farm? I can't recommend it enough. Easy-to-use inventory management, great customer service, continuous improvement, and a culture dedicated to equipping farmers with marketing expertise. Local Line is offering a free premium feature for free for one year on top of your paid subscription. Claim your discount by signing up for a Local Line account today and using the coupon code: MDF2025. Head to my special affiliate link to get started: www.mydigitalfarmer.com/localline
Taste the Local Difference:
If your marketing to-do list is starting to feel like a second full-time job, it’s time to call in the experts at Taste the Local Difference (TLD). With over 20 years of experience, TLD is the go-to marketing agency for purpose-driven farmers and local food entrepreneurs. Their sole focus is helping businesses like yours succeed—from creating marketing plans that reach your ideal customers, to designing eye-catching labels and packaging, to building beautiful, search-optimized websites. No wonder most of their clients see an average 200% return on their investment within the first year! And here’s a special offer just for My Digital Farmer listeners: visit LocalFoodMarketing.com/podcast, fill out a no-obligation marketing inquiry form, and mention My Digital Farmer to get 10% off any marketing service (up to $300).
Farm Marketing School:
Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! Farm Marketing School is my step-by-step system for building a profitable farm marketing plan. Inside, you'll get access to bite-sized marketing projects like:
- 📆 Creating a promotion calendar that drives consistent sales
- 🛠️ Setting up & optimizing your Google Business Profile
- 📧 Writing high-converting emails (nurture, promotions, onboarding)
- 🗣️ Collecting & using customer testimonials effectively
- 🔍 Auditing & improving your sales funnel
- 💬 Monthly live coaching calls for answers to your burning questions
Each project includes a workshop and step-by-step plan so you can take action and see results without the overwhelm. Join here:
👉 www.mydigitalfarmer.com/fms (Cancel anytime!)
Helpful Links Mentioned in This Episode
Local Food Marketplace Resources page -- this is a great place to go and look for tools, downloads, swipe files, marketing templates, and webinar trainings. This is built and designed for farmers and local business entrepreneurs in the food space!
The Farm Marketing Plan Checklist -- Erika references this in today's podcast. Grab it here!
What email provider do I use? I recommend Kit.com (formerly ConvertKit.com) -- it is easy to use, powerful, and getting better every year. It also integrates with most e-commerce providers and tools. Use my affiliate link!
Follow me on Instagram: @mydigitalfarmer
Join My Email List: Get weekly farm marketing tips delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at www.mydigitalfarmer.com/subscribe.