Farmers markets have long been a staple of agricultural communities as a way to connect farmers with their customers, to build local economies, and to distribute high-quality goods you may not be able to find elsewhere.
For those on the small-to-medium end of things, participating in the local farmers market can make a huge impact on profit margins and connect you with people in your community. If you’re looking for a way to bring the goods you’re producing to local patrons and make your farm profitable, start getting your ducks in a row now so you can jump into farmers market season prepared and ready for success!
Ready, Set, Apply!
Usually in early spring, you’ll fill out an application that goes into detail about your products and what you do. Each market varies in degrees of complexity for their application process — some require a farm visit or tour to ensure you’re producing what you’re selling, and some require different levels of liability insurance. One of the larger markets near us requires a notarized application with a 2-to-3-week waiting period for approval from its board, while other markets need nothing more than a brief email about what we do and how to contact us.
Regardless of how minimal or complex the application process is, clearly define what your current offerings are and what sets your product apart. Some markets will only allow you to sell certain products, generally to avoid too much competition and repetition with
