Farm Dreams
Homesteading, Organic Gardening, How to Farm, Preparedness, Self-Reliance
Creating a Farm Logo
Does anyone have any advice for a future farmer on how to create a farm logo? I have a good idea what I want, but have no idea how to create it on my own. Paying for a graphic artist isn't in our family budget at this time unless there is a very affordable one out there. To me it's important to have an image that reflect our farm and I feel like I'm getting nowhere trying to create it on my own. Any advice will gratefully be accepted.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by NHF on -
Hi Wendi,
That's great news and very exciting! I realize this may be too late for you but wanted to offer this tip in case it was helpful for others trying to design logos on a budget.
Don't be afraid of creating only a "type" logo rather than an "image" logo. Most computers have a fair number of fonts on them and if you or someone in your family is lucky enough to have a Mac, you probably have access to LOTS of fonts and simple design programs. If not, Google has lots of free fonts (http://www.google.com/webfonts#ChoosePlace:select) where you can enter the name of your farm and see how it looks on almost 500 font families. For
example, using the Montez font I can make our logo simply look like this: I didn't download the font...I only did this quickly online to give you an idea. Of course if I downloaded and installed the free font, then I could play with colors...maybe making the "Harmony" bold, shadowded, a different color, etc. All using Word, Powerpoint or whatever you have on your computer.
Often we look at things like not having resources (money) as a disadvantage, but it can be turned to an advantage. Just simplify, go old school and use text. Not only will it save you money but you'll stand out since most are doing something more graphic, and there are other benefits as well. Since it is text only, your name is likely to be more memorable since it IS the design element. Also, aren't you trying to "simplify" by going back to the land/homesteading? Start with the logo design!
Anyway, just trying to help and hope this does...good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Wendi on -
TIm...I mean NHF (but in my head I heard the message read in Tim's voice)
A good point was made, or at least I read it that way, about starting the farm, going back to the land and getting started before getting caught up in a logo. I completely agree. What good is a logo if the farm never gets off the ground?
This brings me to a question that I hope Tim of NHF will answer, but I will appreciate any thoughts from wise farmers out there. Tim you've mentioned marketing your farm before it ever got started. You've talked about putting your "story" out there. I think our family has a pretty good story. I want to share it with...well almost everyone. But I'm not sure how to get our story out there. I've never created a blog, hosted a website...how do you design one of those? What kind of time commitment am I looking at? And lastly will people even care?
Perhaps I should have proposed these questions in the marketing group.
NHF said:
Hi Wendi,
That's great news and very exciting! I realize this may be too late for you but wanted to offer this tip in case it was helpful for others trying to design logos on a budget.
Don't be afraid of creating only a "type" logo rather than an "image" logo. Most computers have a fair number of fonts on them and if you or someone in your family is lucky enough to have a Mac, you probably have access to LOTS of fonts and simple design programs. If not, Google has lots of free fonts (http://www.google.com/webfonts#ChoosePlace:select) where you can enter the name of your farm and see how it looks on almost 500 font families. For
example, using the Montez font I can make our logo simply look like this: I didn't download the font...I only did this quickly online to give you an idea. Of course if I downloaded and installed the free font, then I could play with colors...maybe making the "Harmony" bold, shadowded, a different color, etc. All using Word, Powerpoint or whatever you have on your computer.
Often we look at things like not having resources (money) as a disadvantage, but it can be turned to an advantage. Just simplify, go old school and use text. Not only will it save you money but you'll stand out since most are doing something more graphic, and there are other benefits as well. Since it is text only, your name is likely to be more memorable since it IS the design element. Also, aren't you trying to "simplify" by going back to the land/homesteading? Start with the logo design!
Anyway, just trying to help and hope this does...good luck!
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Permalink Reply by NHF on
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Hi Wendi,
Yes, Tim here...Liz allows me to answer logo and market questions but says I'm unskilled at tinctures and witchcraft, so I have to defer to her there.
Oh boy, you asked some questions. Lots of people will have thoughts on those but here are mine.
- Yes, we began our blog in May of 2007 and didn't have a product until April of 2008. We just began telling our story, which was of two people who knew nothing about farming but knew they were fed up with our food system, so we shared the exciting journey and stupid steps along the way. It was interesting to some people.
- While customers are indeed buying products from you, us and other farmers, they can buy a piece of pork or a head of broccoli from many sources. So why you (us)? That's where the intangibles come in. In our case it was a combination of our dogged values (extremely natural) that attracted many and turned off just as many, combined with our choice of quite rare breeds such as Ossabaw pigs. Of course, there are some who couldn't care less about that and want cheaper or other style of pork. We don't care about those people. I should say I don't...Liz wants to make everyone happy. What I mean is that, as a business, we care only about those who share our values. It's part of staying very focused on YOUR strategy, YOUR values and YOUR target market. If only politicians would do this and not flip flop on everything.
- For blogging, we used Squarespace from day one. It's not too expensive, but it's something. Then we used Constant Contact for email marketing, which is another fifty bucks a month for us. I think you can create your own blog here on Farm Dreams for free, but you won't be able to have your own domain name. You'd just have to "point" people to your blog address here on your website, Facebook page, etc.
- All this has the potential to overwhelm you at some point and seem confusing, so let me suggest this. Worry less about whether you should blog right now, what platform you should use, etc. Instead, try to write down in a sentence that you can remember that describes what you do. This is an elevator pitch, or as I called it in our Farm School, a "tractor pitch". A Short, concise, 20 word description of what you do that you can tell someone from atop your tractor. Craft wording that is vivid and/or beneficial to the consumer. This is important as we all have the habit of talking about ourselves first. For example, when we did the last Farm School last April, here was the tractor pitch I offered for NHF: "Nature’s Harmony Farm offers delicious, nutrient-dense meats from rare breed animals that are loved and raised in their natural environment"
- That tractor pitch says a few things. 1) we use rare breeds, 2) we focus on nutrition, and the phrase "nutrient-dense" in particular speaks to followers of Weston A. Price, 3) it intuitively conveys how we treat animals and the land, and 4) the benefits to the consumer are access to improved nutrition plus a feeling of happiness that they are helping to improve the lives of animals. This pitch could easily be memorized to explain to anyone who asks "what do you do or what type farm do you have?". If you can do the same for yourself then it will lay the foundation for everything else. THEN, and only then, can you really tell your story via Facebook, website, video, blog, etc. at which point you can answer your final question. Will people even care? Only if YOU REALLY do. Let your passion shine.
Hope this is helfpul. Again, good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Wendi on
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Tim,
This is such helpful advice and it means so much to me, coming from you. I was just listening to you and Liz today on the latest podcast. Although you don't know me, when I refer to Tim or Liz at my house everyone knows who I'm talking about. It's like you're part of our family. You'll definitely be welcomed at our farm.
For a future farmer I will say, it's easy to get overwhelmed. I look at where I want to be, where I want our family to be, and I see all the obstacles and challenges. It feels impossible. Gardening feels impossible. Raising animals, feels impossible. The bees the orchard. How are we going to build a barn? But then I ask myself, how are we NOT going to do those things?
This is why I appreciate people like you and Liz (we are really fond of her!) and the Farm-Dreams community, taking time to tell a future farmer scared in her mud boots, to start here. Start from the beginning, learn and then move on. Sometimes we just need the encouragement to NOT be discouraged and take one step at a time.
BTW: Only my husband (a U.S. Marine) and I know that he's been stationed 4 hours away from where we've bought our farm land. We are planning on putting up our homestead and starting our farm dreams this summer. But we've got to keep it under wraps because we want to surprise our families (including our 4 children)with the news when we return home this summer. Such a big secret to keep...and now I've just told how many people??
NHF said:Hi Wendi,
Yes, Tim here...Liz allows me to answer logo and market questions but says I'm unskilled at tinctures and witchcraft, so I have to defer to her there.
Oh boy, you asked some questions. Lots of people will have thoughts on those but here are mine.
- Yes, we began our blog in May of 2007 and didn't have a product until April of 2008. We just began telling our story, which was of two people who knew nothing about farming but knew they were fed up with our food system, so we shared the exciting journey and stupid steps along the way. It was interesting to some people.
- While customers are indeed buying products from you, us and other farmers, they can buy a piece of pork or a head of broccoli from many sources. So why you (us)? That's where the intangibles come in. In our case it was a combination of our dogged values (extremely natural) that attracted many and turned off just as many, combined with our choice of quite rare breeds such as Ossabaw pigs. Of course, there are some who couldn't care less about that and want cheaper or other style of pork. We don't care about those people. I should say I don't...Liz wants to make everyone happy. What I mean is that, as a business, we care only about those who share our values. It's part of staying very focused on YOUR strategy, YOUR values and YOUR target market. If only politicians would do this and not flip flop on everything.
- For blogging, we used Squarespace from day one. It's not too expensive, but it's something. Then we used Constant Contact for email marketing, which is another fifty bucks a month for us. I think you can create your own blog here on Farm Dreams for free, but you won't be able to have your own domain name. You'd just have to "point" people to your blog address here on your website, Facebook page, etc.
- All this has the potential to overwhelm you at some point and seem confusing, so let me suggest this. Worry less about whether you should blog right now, what platform you should use, etc. Instead, try to write down in a sentence that you can remember that describes what you do. This is an elevator pitch, or as I called it in our Farm School, a "tractor pitch". A Short, concise, 20 word description of what you do that you can tell someone from atop your tractor. Craft wording that is vivid and/or beneficial to the consumer. This is important as we all have the habit of talking about ourselves first. For example, when we did the last Farm School last April, here was the tractor pitch I offered for NHF: "Nature’s Harmony Farm offers delicious, nutrient-dense meats from rare breed animals that are loved and raised in their natural environment"
- That tractor pitch says a few things. 1) we use rare breeds, 2) we focus on nutrition, and the phrase "nutrient-dense" in particular speaks to followers of Weston A. Price, 3) it intuitively conveys how we treat animals and the land, and 4) the benefits to the consumer are access to improved nutrition plus a feeling of happiness that they are helping to improve the lives of animals. This pitch could easily be memorized to explain to anyone who asks "what do you do or what type farm do you have?". If you can do the same for yourself then it will lay the foundation for everything else. THEN, and only then, can you really tell your story via Facebook, website, video, blog, etc. at which point you can answer your final question. Will people even care? Only if YOU REALLY do. Let your passion shine.
Hope this is helfpul. Again, good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Kemp on
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Wendi,
Your question about a logo really hit home with me, because my wife and I are still struggling to settle on the name for our new farm. However, I think when it comes down to it, the farm name you chose is likely to play a large part in what kind of logo you select, is that something you'd be willing to share? For example, Tim (and Liz's) farm "Natures Harmony Farm" definatly calls out for a unique font, in part because the name itself says what it is and (if I can take the liberty Tim?) because natures harmony is also a tough subject to make into a small logo. I've been thinking on this subject for a while now and I am leary of including any farm animals or crops in the logo because if I've learned anything from this site, it is that you rarely end up raising what you start. Right now we are leaning towards the name "Bear creek farm" (the little Bear creek borders my farm to the east) and I'm in the process of coming up with a logo that has a bear crossing a creek, but I am just the simple farmer here and I have to await the OK from the farm manager.... Good luck to you both in your new adventures. Semper fidelis
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Permalink Reply by The Orange Jeep Dad on -
I just posted about the same thing. We have just acquired our little 5 acre farm and are trying to figure out where to start in relations to building a shelter first. Having a blank slate of land really lets your imagination run wild!
I haven't even thought of naming the place! LoL!
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Permalink Reply by Wendi on
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Steve,
Glad to hear from a simple farmer and I will say I like the name Bear Creek Farm. I like when people share how they came up with their farm name. AND for a future farmer, it helps so much to hear and learn from others who are doing the same thing. To hear what has worked and when things haven't ect... And why they chose to farm the way they do.
But as for the logo and farm name, for our farm, our name will be Living-Jones Farm. Our family name is Livingston, but my maiden name and my brother's last name (who we bought the farm with) if Jones. When my brother called us, Christmas time 2008, and said our neighbor behind mom and dad wanted to sell that land; we knew this was our chance. My husband asked me reciently when I decided to become a farmer? I didn't want to be a farmer when we were married years ago.....I said "When you bought me a FARM!" Before we even knew if we were going to be able to buy the land I had named it Living-Jones Farm. It's our simple family farm.
But what has given me the most joy up until this point is (because we are not yet actually "farming"), is to hear my children talking about what they want to do on the farm. My youngest son came home friday hooping and hollering from the front door. Trying to figure out all the excitement, he was finally able to convey that at school they are hatching out chickens and a local farmer had brought in the eggs and some chickens. We could buy one for only $5.00!! Never mind that we are moving in a few months and the fact that we live on base housing. Wouldn't you want to travel 20 hours with a chicken in your van this summer?? Gavin will be in charge of chickens on the farm.
Sorry to ramble...this is just what happens when I get started talking about the farm....LJF....
Any advice on starting a website or blog?? Anyone?
Steve Kemp said:Wendi,
Your question about a logo really hit home with me, because my wife and I are still struggling to settle on the name for our new farm. However, I think when it comes down to it, the farm name you chose is likely to play a large part in what kind of logo you select, is that something you'd be willing to share? For example, Tim (and Liz's) farm "Natures Harmony Farm" definatly calls out for a unique font, in part because the name itself says what it is and (if I can take the liberty Tim?) because natures harmony is also a tough subject to make into a small logo. I've been thinking on this subject for a while now and I am leary of including any farm animals or crops in the logo because if I've learned anything from this site, it is that you rarely end up raising what you start. Right now we are leaning towards the name "Bear creek farm" (the little Bear creek borders my farm to the east) and I'm in the process of coming up with a logo that has a bear crossing a creek, but I am just the simple farmer here and I have to await the OK from the farm manager.... Good luck to you both in your new adventures. Semper fidelis
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Permalink Reply by Wendi on
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Just to let you know....we purchased this property a few years ago(I've mentiond a little of this in my last reply). This summer we plan, if at all possible, to start setting up our homestead. I say that only to explain that although I know it seems completely crazy, the whole logo thing, (yeah I get it) I 've been carrying farm ideas in my head for years. Because of our situation, with my husband being in the military and not living anywhere near our farm, I've only been able to farm dream about our future endevor. I realize there are more important things to address, but I'm a dreamer and maybe a little silly.
The Orange Jeep Dad said:I just posted about the same thing. We have just acquired our little 5 acre farm and are trying to figure out where to start in relations to building a shelter first. Having a blank slate of land really lets your imagination run wild!
I haven't even thought of naming the place! LoL!
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I think the name Living-Jones Farm is terrific, it will certainly engender alot of curiosity and questions, both of which are a good thing in marketing your produce. I feel pretty foolish, not seeing the charming NHF logo on Tim's message before writing about his using fonts (my apologies Tim, perhaps I should have left off the word farmer, when I called myself a simple farmer), but IMHO he's spot on with using a nice font to create a logo from the name, it's cheap and gives you an immediate result.
I'm so happy to hear your kids are looking forward to country life and being right behind your parents is sure to be a boon for the kids. I have 3 myself, one in college, one going to college and another in high school which raises a whole other set of issues (even without the worries of college expense) My middle child is seriously concerned that she may actually die from internet deprivation and my youngest, who loves the farm has expressed concerns that there seems to be a serious lack of ivy league sports being played at the local high school lol (he's a laccrosse player). It feels like we may have to wait years to make the jump ourselves, I'm very jealous, fortunatly we are only 3 hours away from the farm so I get down there every weekend I can.
As for websites and blogs they are time consuming, but not to hard to do, most Internet providors give you space and tools to put up a website, all you really need is time and............a logo :-)
Wendi said:Steve,
Glad to hear from a simple farmer and I will say I like the name Bear Creek Farm. I like when people share how they came up with their farm name. AND for a future farmer, it helps so much to hear and learn from others who are doing the same thing. To hear what has worked and when things haven't ect... And why they chose to farm the way they do.
But as for the logo and farm name, for our farm, our name will be Living-Jones Farm. Our family name is Livingston, but my maiden name and my brother's last name (who we bought the farm with) if Jones. When my brother called us, Christmas time 2008, and said our neighbor behind mom and dad wanted to sell that land; we knew this was our chance. My husband asked me reciently when I decided to become a farmer? I didn't want to be a farmer when we were married years ago.....I said "When you bought me a FARM!" Before we even knew if we were going to be able to buy the land I had named it Living-Jones Farm. It's our simple family farm.
But what has given me the most joy up until this point is (because we are not yet actually "farming"), is to hear my children talking about what they want to do on the farm. My youngest son came home friday hooping and hollering from the front door. Trying to figure out all the excitement, he was finally able to convey that at school they are hatching out chickens and a local farmer had brought in the eggs and some chickens. We could buy one for only $5.00!! Never mind that we are moving in a few months and the fact that we live on base housing. Wouldn't you want to travel 20 hours with a chicken in your van this summer?? Gavin will be in charge of chickens on the farm.
Sorry to ramble...this is just what happens when I get started talking about the farm....LJF....
Any advice on starting a website or blog?? Anyone?
Steve Kemp said:Wendi,
Your question about a logo really hit home with me, because my wife and I are still struggling to settle on the name for our new farm. However, I think when it comes down to it, the farm name you chose is likely to play a large part in what kind of logo you select, is that something you'd be willing to share? For example, Tim (and Liz's) farm "Natures Harmony Farm" definatly calls out for a unique font, in part because the name itself says what it is and (if I can take the liberty Tim?) because natures harmony is also a tough subject to make into a small logo. I've been thinking on this subject for a while now and I am leary of including any farm animals or crops in the logo because if I've learned anything from this site, it is that you rarely end up raising what you start. Right now we are leaning towards the name "Bear creek farm" (the little Bear creek borders my farm to the east) and I'm in the process of coming up with a logo that has a bear crossing a creek, but I am just the simple farmer here and I have to await the OK from the farm manager.... Good luck to you both in your new adventures. Semper fidelis
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Permalink Reply by UrbanFarmer on -
Glad to help. Can't wait to see the final logo.
Wendi said:UrbanFarmer,
I just wanted to let you know that I searched through all the websites that you pointed me to and after much consideration I decided to try out hatchwise. I've just started the process and hopefully I will have a completed farm logo in the near future. Now we just need to actually start our farm. (Which WILL be soon!)
I'm very thankful for all the resources you sent my way. Great suggestion.
Wendi
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Permalink Reply by Wendi on
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Just to update those who might be interested; we did come up with a logo for our farm. I used the hatchwise.com website and started a design competition. It worked really well for me. I have to admit I was extremely nervous to begin the process and I wasn't sure if I would end up with a design that I was happy with. To start the competition I was only required to pay $29.00, but it was recommended that I prepay the prize money (at least $100) so that designers knew there would be a winner. I did pay upfront, but like I said it wasn't required and if I didn't like any of the entries I would not have to pay for any of the designs. Hatchwise gave me a list of questions to answer about what I was looking for in a design, what I wanted to see, what I didn't want to see and asked me to describe my business ect.. I really got a good chance to put into words what I was looking for.
Within 24 hours of starting the competition there were a couple of designers who had submitted designs. I first one I looked at was a winner, it just needed a few little changes . The design competition can last up to 10 days and I think you have up to a week after that to pick a winner. You can also purchase additional designs @ $100/each, if you prefer. For me, I knew right away the first designer was the winner and after three days I ended to competition by choosing her design. Several graphic designers submitted entries, and seeing our farm name each time through someone else's eyes was amazing even if it wasn't a logo that would work for us.
Over all it was a great experience. If you are interested in designing a farm logo please see the post from Urban Farmer who mentioned several websites to check out.
I'm going to try to attach our logo so those interested can get a look at what we ended up with....I just wanted simple.
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Wendi said:Just to update those who might be interested; we did come up with a logo for our farm. I used the hatchwise.com website and started a design competition. It worked really well for me. I have to admit I was extremely nervous to begin the process and I wasn't sure if I would end up with a design that I was happy with. To start the competition I was only required to pay $29.00, but it was recommended that I prepay the prize money (at least $100) so that designers knew there would be a winner. I did pay upfront, but like I said it wasn't required and if I didn't like any of the entries I would not have to pay for any of the designs. Hatchwise gave me a list of questions to answer about what I was looking for in a design, what I wanted to see, what I didn't want to see and asked me to describe my business ect.. I really got a good chance to put into words what I was looking for.
Within 24 hours of starting the competition there were a couple of designers who had submitted designs. I first one I looked at was a winner, it just needed a few little changes . The design competition can last up to 10 days and I think you have up to a week after that to pick a winner. You can also purchase additional designs @ $100/each, if you prefer. For me, I knew right away the first designer was the winner and after three days I ended to competition by choosing her design. Several graphic designers submitted entries, and seeing our farm name each time through someone else's eyes was amazing even if it wasn't a logo that would work for us.
Over all it was a great experience. If you are interested in designing a farm logo please see the post from Urban Farmer who mentioned several websites to check out.
I'm going to try to attach our logo so those interested can get a look at what we ended up with....I just wanted simple.
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