In 2015, the agriculture industry made up 5.5% of the United States GDP. America’s farms earned over $136.5 billion.

The agriculture market contributes to countless other industries and goods beyond initial farming and ranching. These markets include:

• Apparel
• Automotive
• Beverages
• Food
• Fishing
• Forestry
• Leather
• Restaurants
• Tobacco

Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to provide you with extended knowledge of the agriculture industry as it relates to promotional products, as well as offer tips to help expand your cap sales into the market.

In this guide, we will look at different aspects of the agricultural market, so that you will have a better understanding of how to target each.

Today, you will learn how to reach out to common decision makers in various parts of the farming and ranching sector. Next time, we’ll look at the tourist side of the agricultural business.

Farms & Ranches

There are 2.2 million farms in the United States covering approximately 922 million acres, with each farm averaging around 418 acres.

Farmers primarily raise crops, although hogs, poultry, goats, and dairy cows are also common. Alternatively, ranchers raise cattle or sheep to sell for slaughter.

Both farmers and ranchers work long hours year-round in all types of weather conditions, to supply food to stores and restaurants all over the nation.

Because of this, it is important to offer a variety of styles when selling promotional hats to farmers and rancher.

In the summer, they want wide brims and UPF certified fabrics to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. They also want moisture-wicking fabrics and sweatbands that will keep them cool and dry. In the winter, they want knits or fleece beanies to keep them safe and warm.

Most of the country’s farms and ranches are family owned and operated. They are blue-collar personas who are not afraid of a hard day’s work. It is vital that you know how to get down to business for quick and easy communication when you take meetings with them, as time is quite literally money for them.

Promotional caps are great farmers, ranchers, and their workers to use day in and day out, but they are also a nice token of appreciation they can give to their buyers to help grow and maintain the business side of their work.

Equipment Sales & Co-Ops

Farmers and ranchers alike will need equipment and supplies. Everything from ATVs and tractors to feed and seed.

Most large, specialty equipment that farmers use to plow, sow, and harvest their land will be purchased through independent salesmen, salesmen who need their own promotional caps to grow their business and increase their clientele.

Logoed caps can also be used as a gift for salesmen to show appreciation after their customer makes a purchase.

Farmers and ranchers go to co-ops to purchase things like feed, seed, and medicine for their animals. Reach out to all the co-ops in your territory to see how you can meet their promotional needs.

Be sure to inform these guys about all the benefits of promotional headwear. It is one of the most inexpensive forms of effective advertising. Hats are a coveted piece of apparel, especially in this market. There are UPF certified fabrics for sun protection during long days. Caps have high visibility and receive a lot of impressions. The list goes on.

Check back next week as we dive into farmer’s markets and orchards. If you haven’t sold into the agriculture industry in the past, I think this series will open your eyes to the vast number of opportunities out there.

What other industries would you like to see covered on Hatswork? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram using the hashtag #hatswork.