Jane Eckert is inducted into the NAFDMA Hall of Fame     

Jane Eckert, a past president of the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) and a passionate advocate of farm direct marketing, was recently inducted into the NAFDMA Hall of Fame.
Eckert, who owns Eckert AgriMarketing of St. Louis, Mo., was selected for the honor by the NAFDMA board of directors. She received her award during the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference, which is part of NAFDMA’s annual convention. The 2008 convention was held in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

Jane, a farmer’s daughter and former corporate marketing executive, is the ninth person inducted into NAFDMA’s Hall of Fame. The award honors those who have served NAFDMA and the industry. Past inductees include some of NAFDMA’s founding board members, such as Wayne Wickerham, Jim Bell, Larry Yager and Nita Gizdich, as well as past president Karen Watt and longtime NAFDMA secretary Brent Warner.

To be considered for the Hall of Fame, nominees must have been a NAFDMA members for at least 5 years, they need to have shown a great appreciation for NAFDMA and its efforts, they must have participated in NAFDMA events such as tours and conference, and they must have direct involvement in farm marketing.

Eckert has been involved in farm direct marketing for many years. Before starting Eckert AgriMarketing, Jane was vice president of marketing of Eckert's Country Store and Farms in Belleville, Ill. In 2001, the farm received the Farm Market of the Year award from NAFDMA. In 2005, Eckert received NAFDMA’s Outstanding Leadership Award. NAFDMA members make the nominations for that award.

Eckert grew up on her family’s apple orchard and spent more than 15 years in corporate marketing. Eventually she returned to the family farm before starting Eckert AgriMarketing in 2001. Starting with Eckert's Country Store and Farms, she has helped bridge the gap between farms and tourism agencies and convention and visitors bureaus. Jane is in her second year of consulting with the travel division of the state of Kansas; she works with travel professionals, farmers and ranchers to develop agritourism in the state.

Visit www.eckertagrimarketing.com for more information.

The North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association is the leading farm direct marketing association in the world. It promotes and fosters the growth of farm direct marketing throughout North America. Its members support their family farms by selling millions of dollars worth of farm-grown produce directly to consumers at farm stands, farmers' markets, pick-your-own farms, consumer-supported agriculture, agritourism venues, and other ever-growing innovations in direct producer-to-consumer agricultural marketing methods. NAFDMA’s 2009 convention will be held in Georgia. Find out more about the organization at www.nafdma.com.