The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's (USDA) push for foreign market development in recent years has placed a greater emphasis on promotion programs, some of which include limited amounts for advertising. While the amount of government contribution varies from contract to contract, usually the subsidy is matched by a cooperator and by a third party, usually a foreign interest. The promotion programs now operate in over 80 nations, conducted by 43 nonprofit agricultural trade organizations on a long-term basis. Smaller scale and shorter term projects are also being conducted mostly by farm-owned cooperators."
"An expanded list of promotion programs administered by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), and mostly funded by farmer groups, is channeling almost $35 million annually into advertising and promotion. While most government marketing subsidies have disappeared, the number of promotion programs and available funding have continued to grow from 11 programs in 1975 to 20 programs today, with 3 more awaiting Congressional approval. Of the 20 existing programs, 19 are funded by producers, farmers, or manufacturers." Article mentions beef, wheat, wool, raisin and peach programs.
"Agricultural marketers, rural advertisers and advertising agencies in the Midwest are feeling the effects of the depressed U.S. farm economy. Farm billings at the 50 largest agricultural agencies are projected to drop 11.5% in 1986. Farm advertisers increasingly are cutting back their ad budgets."
