Ball State's Applied Research Institute is partnering with Local Web4U, a technology firm in Anderson, to develop an interactive Web site allowing Indiana's farmers to list recently harvested produce beginning in March 2003.

"For the first time farmers will have a presence on the Internet, enabling them to deal directly with consumers," said Robert Yadon, institute director, "In the past, farmers would just put out a sign in a market on their farms or at markets in nearby towns. People knew the produce was fresh when they saw the signs."

Technical work is being handled by Local Web4U. Research and consumer testing is being conducted by Ball State's Applied Research Institute, a division of the Center for Information and Communication Sciences.  Smith Farms, a family specialty crop operation in Pendleton, will serve as the testing site.

Farmers may post product listings along with photos and contact information. A search engine will allow consumers to search the database for products and locations of participating farms.

Farmers also will be able to e-mail consumers when certain crops are in season or orders are ready. The site will also allow customers to directly link to farmers' Web sites for e-commerce transactions.

The site will provide consumers with tips on buying a variety of farm products, shipping regulations, recipes, and information on how crops are produced.

The project has been made possible by a block grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and is administered by the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture for Indiana.

Producers will pay a nominal annual fee to be listed on the site with funds raised going to administer and promote the service.

Truitt Communications, an Indianapolis-based company, is managing the project. The firm plans to market the site to farmers around the state.

Farmers interested in being listed on the site may contact Truitt Communications by calling (317) 431-0261.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Yadon at ryadon@bsu.eduor (765) 285-1515; Doug Edge, Local Web4u at (765) 285-9436; and Gary Truitt, Truitt Communications, at (765) 431-0261.)