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So You Want to Form a Farmers’ Market in your County? 

The e-newsletter, Vegetarian, has traditionally been devoted to production research information releases in an informal manner so Extension Agents could help their commercial producers with timely information; rather than waiting for publications and factsheets to be released long after the information was developed.  Agents try to help producers apply research at the farm so farms can survive just one more season.  Farmers also need marketing information.  Most of the time our producers can grow an excellent crop, yet have a difficult time selling it at a price above production costs.  Also, small farmers who can’t produce the volume brokers require are at a disadvantage when they market.  For some of these reasons, my Advisory Council and I took on the project of forming a county Farmers’ Market. 

It’s taken three seasons to get a Farmer’s Market established (permanent structure) in Union County (North Florida).  The procedure we followed included:

·         Surveying surrounding county vegetable producers on what they produced, the time of year it was available, and whether they would be willing to sell at the market on Saturday mornings.

·         Taking these results to a volunteer board of directors to steer the market during the formative years.

·         Obtaining support from the City of Lake Butler, the Union County Board of County Commissioners, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Service Bureau of Marketing.

·         Developing a 5-year plan of action and holding to it.

·         Grand openings each season with special activities (bluegrass music bands, clowns, refreshments, meals, etc. from local civic organizations).

·         Appreciation events at the season closings (breakfast for elected officials with the farmers at the market site).

Benefits to the county residents include fresh, locally grown produce that can be purchased with Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons as well as increased revenue to small farmers and large gardeners.  Anywhere from 8 to 12 growers supported the market every Saturday morning, with gross receipts ranging from $150 to over $400 per grower.  

The investment costs were mainly of volunteer and agent time, not only for the Saturday mornings but also for the continued publicity and public relations work, which needs to be constant throughout the year.  The returns are not just economic, but social ones.  Clientele look forward to visiting with their producers as much, if not more, than purchasing fresh produce. 

Detailed information of the successes and things we would have done differently can be obtained by calling the Union County Extension Office at 386-496-2321.  A Powerpoint presentation is available upon request as an email attachment, detailing all of the establishment methodology, lessons learned, and impacts to the county.

Jacque Breman
Union County Extension Director
Vegetarian 05-02