News
Groups look to provide e-commerce to farmers
Several universities and ag groups are establishing a public-access system to connect small and mid-size farmers to buyers.
The Open Market Consortium will serve as a blockchain system allowing direct sales from farmers to food companies and institutional buyers. Blockchain is a network of peer-to-peer transactions like Bitcoin allowing farmers to market their products using e-commerce.
The consortium, led by AgLaunch, is receivinga total of $4 million from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Mississippi State University, Tennessee State University, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and other groups.
AgLaunch Executive Director Pete Nelson said OMC provides farmers a traceable and secure system for diverse ag products while bringing more transparency into the market.
