Marketing often feels like an afterthought for farmers. Between production, weather, labor, and finances, telling your story online can easily fall to the bottom of the list. That is exactly where Grapevine Local Food Marketing fits into the picture. It is also why marketing for small farms deserves more attention.
How Grapevine Local Got Started
Grapevine Local Food Marketing was founded by Sarah Highlen, who spent nearly 20 years working in marketing while staying deeply involved in the local food scene in Indiana. Over time, those two worlds naturally came together. What started as small marketing projects for people in her personal network quickly grew through word-of-mouth referrals. Farmers talked to other farmers. Results spoke for themselves. Grapevine grew organically, much like the farms they serve.
The Problem They Set Out to Solve
At its core, Grapevine exists to solve a problem many farmers face. Marketing advice is everywhere, but very little of it applies to local food businesses. Between high entry costs, one-size-fits-all strategies, and advice built for large corporations, many farms feel overwhelmed before they even begin.
Grapevine cuts through that noise. They offer farm marketing for small farms that is realistic, tailored, and focused on high-return strategies.
A Service-First Approach to Farm Marketing
What sets Grapevine apart is their service-first mindset. Their team genuinely cares about local food systems and understands the importance of farms to their communities. They work with a wide range of clients, from very small farms with limited budgets to established food businesses ready to invest in long-term growth.
Rather than selling unrealistic plans, they often work backward from a farm’s budget and capacity. This approach helps farmers choose tactics that actually make sense.
Tools and Strategies That Meet Farmers Where They Are
Their services cover branding and logo design, websites, e-commerce, email marketing, SEO, and targeted advertising on platforms like Meta and Google. Custom solutions are central to their approach because no two farms operate the same way.
Instead of offering generic recommendations, Grapevine tailors platforms and strategies based on how a farm sells. That might include a vegetable CSA, a bulk or by-the-cut meat operation, or a food hub. They also build specialized tools. For example, they created custom cut-sheet forms for Glacier Processing Cooperative that help bulk beef customers clearly record preferences.
In addition to hands-on services, Grapevine develops practical resources to help farmers research and make informed decisions independently. These include:
- Comparing farm website platforms
- Comparing CSA platforms
- Should you sell meat by the pound or by the package?
Real Farm Stories Behind the Marketing
Grapevine’s impact is best seen through the farms they work alongside. Senior marketing consultant Sarah Dashe explains that projects like Winterspring Farm and Champlin’s Sugar Creek Farm show how coordinated marketing can drive measurable results. Both farms partnered with Grapevine across multiple initiatives. Their experiences demonstrate how branding, digital tools, and strategy work together to create a stronger return on investment.
Winterspring Farm, run by two young first-generation farmers, uses marketing to promote their vegetable CSA. Their messaging also highlights a deep commitment to community involvement, food access, and social justice. Champlin’s Sugar Creek Farm is a second-generation grass-fed beef operation. The farm uses modern marketing to adapt to shifting consumer demand, which increasingly favors online sales channels. Their goal is to strengthen the business and pass it on to a third generation.
These stories show that marketing for small farms is not just about selling more products. It supports real people, preserves farm legacies, and helps local food businesses thrive.
Helping Farms Connect With Modern Consumers
Grapevine understands that marketing is about connection. Digital tools help farmers reach consumers who want to buy local but also value convenience. Online sales, subscriptions, and clear communication about food values create dependable income. They also educate customers about how their food is produced.
Why Farm Trader Supports Grapevine Local
At Farm Trader, we believe in supporting businesses that support farmers. That is why we are highlighting Grapevine. Small farms need visibility to survive. Marketing for small farms plays a critical role in helping consumers find, trust, and support the people growing their food.
Grapevine helps farms show up authentically, connect with the right customers, and build businesses designed to last.
