Welcome to the Pollinator!
Angie Day • January 28, 2026
Welcome to the Pollinator!
This is the first of my weekly notes to share new ideas, content, and innovations with you! As your Executive Director, I see a great deal of content about agritourism and direct farm marketing. Your NAFDMA staff had been looking for a new way to share this information with you, so we developed this page on our website to be a repository of great content. Occasionally, we may have a few thoughts to share from one of the NAFDMA board members, or maybe share insights about a great vendor partner. All in all - this will be a new way to share with you, our members.
For this week's idea, and keeping with the name of this source, I know many members do a great job educating and highlighting the importance of pollinators in farming. Have you thought about doing a microfestival specifically about pollinators? Some farms have done ladybug or butterfly releases, while others do a bee themed weekend event. For more information about creating a microfestival, visit the Education Center and click on the Festivals and Events button for Frank Price's presentation and powerpoint on the subject.
Thanks for reading this first edition of The Pollinator and I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you weekly!
Suzi Spahr
RECENT ARTICLES
Too often, unique, high-value seasonal items remain lost on shelves, unable to compete with the sheer volume of surrounding jars and packages in a sea of monotony. Identify one " sleeper product " each season—a special jam, a gourmet baking mix, a heritage squash variety—and give it the dedicated display it deserves. The Opportunity: When you isolate a single item and present it powerfully, you create exclusivity, rarity, and urgency . This strategy focuses the customer's buying energy on a high-margin, seasonally relevant star . Actionable Tip: Create a monumental feature display for that one product, ideally placed at the store entrance or in a highly trafficked area. Use dramatic height, premium signage that tells the product’s unique story (e.g., "The Forgotten Heirloom: Our Great-Grandmother's Winter Squash"), and focused lighting . On a smaller scale, highlighting a niche item on a dedicated, small table can raise awareness and encourage impulse buying. By giving a single product this "shout-out" moment, you transform it from a commodity on a shelf into a must-have seasonal treasure .
Retail Tricks! One retail trick which is frequently overlooked is the benefit of having complementary items for your produce/products on hand and easy for customers to purchase. If customers can get everything they need to use what you grow on the farm, they are more likely to purchase more of it. Examples include Rada Cutlery, as detailed more below. But it can also include pumpkin carving tools, spice or dip mixes to cook meals, vases for the flowers which are picked, and/or reusable bags to carry it all home. Boosting Sales One of the easiest ways to boost Rada Cutlery sales is to use it where your visitors can see it in action. Whether you’re slicing fresh apples, cutting cheese, or spreading homemade jam, make sure you’re using Rada knives, peelers, or spreaders — and point it out! “We use Rada Cutlery here — it’s 100% made in the USA since 1948. You can grab one right over there!” When guests watch you easily peel produce or slice cleanly with a Rada knife, it builds trust and interest. Demonstrating the product in real-time not only increases interest but also drives impulse purchases. For this reason, we recommend keeping the featured products close to the sampling area. And placing additional products in several complimentary locations throughout the store, such as a clip strip of peelers and paring knives next to the apples. Another recommendation would be to place items in the impulse areas and near the checkout with clear signage and pricing.
There’s something magical about discovering agritourism in a new landscape — where lush rainforests meet rich farmland, and local traditions blend with innovative visitor-ready experiences. That’s exactly what happened when NAFDMA members and friends embarked on our Costa Rica Agritourism Tour , January 2–8, 2026. This immersive journey combined agricultural exploration, cultural insights, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow agritourism professionals. A Trip Rooted in Learning, Adventure & Connection This tour wasn’t just a vacation — it was a chance to see how agritourism thrives beyond North America. From coffee estates tucked into misty mountains to wildlife-rich estuaries on the Pacific Coast, every day offered something new to inform, inspire, and invigorate our agritourism minds. Day by Day: Inspiration Across Costa Rica Day One — Welcome to San José After arriving in San José, attendees checked in and enjoyed an afternoon of leisure — the perfect welcome to Costa Rican warmth and rhythm. Day Two — Hacienda Doka Coffee Farm & La Paz Waterfall Gardens Our first full day began at Hacienda Doka, where we traced coffee from seed to cup, stepped inside the oldest wet mill in Costa Rica, and savored local coffee and chocolates — an unforgettable look at agricultural heritage meeting agritourism. From there, we wandered through the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, home to hummingbirds, butterflies, and cascading tropical waterfalls. Day Three — Arenal Hanging Bridges & Thermal Retreat Exploring the Arenal Hanging Bridges brought us up close with rainforest wildlife — over 50 bird species, lush flora, and the vibrant pulse of nature. Later, we relaxed in the mineral-rich EcoTermales Hot Springs, capturing the restorative side of Costa Rican ecosystems. Day Four — A Leisure Day in Arenal With a day to unwind, tour participants picked their own adventure — from strolling La Fortuna town to booking optional ziplining, kayaking, or fishing. Sometimes, inspiration comes from simply observing local life at your own pace. Day Five — Mangroves, Crocs & Coastal Biodiversity As we moved toward Jaco, the Tarcoles River estuary showcased one of the country’s richest ecological treasures — mangroves teeming with birds like kingfishers and herons, and the famous American crocodile. Our boat ride through this biodiverse ecosystem was a highlight of wildlife watching and conservation learning. Day Six — Jaco Beach & Leisure A full day on the Pacific Coast offered sun, surf, and reeled-in inspiration. You could stroll along renowned Jaco Beach, embark on a catamaran tour, or simply soak in the relaxed beach culture that makes agritourism destinations memorable. Day Seven — Farewell, Pura Vida! With hearts full and minds buzzing with ideas, the group headed back to San José for flights home — wrapping up a trip that reaffirmed what agritourism is all about: place, people, and purpose. Why This Tour Mattered This isn’t just a travel story — it’s a series of real lessons that agritourism operators can carry home: Seeing agriculture through a tourism lens — from coffee culture to mangrove ecosystems. Local experience meets global insight — discovering how destination experiences can be shaped by culture, community, and environment. Connections made along the way — conversations on buses, shared meals, and evenings watching sunsets together created friendships that will outlast the itinerary. What’s Next? Whether you were on this tour or simply dreaming about joining next time, keep your calendar open for upcoming NAFDMA experiences that blend education, exploration, and connection. Check out our events lineup — including the Agritourism Convention & Expo and other immersive learning opportunities — and find your next chance to grow, together. Thank You A big thanks to every person who joined this journey — for bringing your curiosity, camaraderie, and passion for agritourism. It’s these shared experiences that help our industry flourish across borders and ecosystems alike.