Extension Offers Strategy Series

Agricultural businesses are invited to learn more about customer perspectives, marketing, merchandising strategies, and customer service through Penn State Extension’s Under the Ground series.

Under the Ground is an annual subscription-based service and network that provides businesses with a comprehensive picture of retail storefronts from the eyes of customers, peers, and marketing specialists.

Register or learn more at https://extension.psu.edu/under-the-ground.

Registration deadline has been extended to May 15, 2020. Please contact Tanya Lamo by emailing tel20@psu.edu or calling (717) 334-6271 with any questions.

The 2020-21 program will be providing businesses with engagement materials to gain customer insight into an operation. Through direct observation as a secret shopper, participants will get to explore how different agricultural retail spaces are designed to enhance the customer experience.

In addition, the program will be providing participants with the tools to engage customers for their feedback. Each business involved will receive quarterly newsletters and reports detailing out feedback from both fellow business owners and industry experts.

An Under the Ground subscription includes the following:

• Receiving an engagement kit for your customers to provide feedback through a customer survey

• Participating in seasonal secret shopper visits to other storefronts

• Becoming a part of a local foods and product trail map provided to customers

• Receiving a quarterly newsletter and reports on the impression of your storefront

• Accessing a live webinar on current industry trends

• Having available discounted tickets for the “Are You Crazy Retail Farm Market Bus Tour”

This program is open to all small agricultural businesses across Pennsylvania.