2009 Farmers’ Market of the Year Awards

AgriMissouri proudly supports the efforts of Missouri's farmers' markets across the state. Our Missouri markets provide consumers with wholesome, fresh, local products and provide farmers with a way to increase their farm revenues. The Farmers' Market of the Year Awards honor those markets who go above and beyond to make their market an education and entertaining experience for consumers. The Market of the Year will receive $1,000 cash prize, as well as a banner and consumer refrigerator magnets. The Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri sponsor the annual Farmers’ Market of the Year competition.

Congratulations to the winning markets from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, AgriMissouri and the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association. Awards will be mailed to the winners and press releases for each winner will be distributed in late March.

2009 Market of the Year Awards
Market of the Year
1.) Webb City Farmers’ Market (PHOTO: From the Webb City Farmers' Market)
2.) Fair Grove Farmers’ Market
3.) Columbia Farmers’ Market

Fun Awards
Best Advertising Campaign
City Market

Best Event
Fair Grove Farmers’ Market “Growing Kids Club”

Best Motto/Catch Phrase
City Market “Where the Locals Go”

Best Photo
Webb City Farmers’ Market

Best Marketing Idea
Fair Grove Farmers’ Market (Market DVD)

Champions of the Year
1.) Dan & Melinda Hemmelgarn (Columbia Farmers’ Market: Organizing and Structuring the Market Pavilion Calendars)
2.) Donna Kranjec (Madison County Farmers’ Market: Volunteer Market Organizer and Supporter)

Columbia Farmers' Market Calendars Now Available Online

Over the past year, local photographer Dan Hemmelgarn and his wife Melinda have met with twelve farmers to produce a unique local product: "Farm Hands -- A Tribute to the Hands that Feed Us." This special work of art is a calendar that depicts the pleasures and challenges of farming, with an understanding of what draws farmers to their work.

While Dan shot the photographs, Melinda interviewed farmers and their families. Each month shares the treasured relationships with land, animals, working outside in natureʼs beauty, and producing "good" food. The images of the farmers' hands -- in sepia tone-- are absolutely beautiful, and speak volumes. There is also a brief insight into the farmer's philosophy about our food system.

"The best part of capturing the images for the Farm Hands calendar was meeting and getting to know Columbia Farmersʼ Market members and hearing their stories," says Dan. "Of course the ultimate reward will be the benefits weʼll all enjoy when the market has a permanent pavilion."
Calendars are on sale at the Columbia Farmers' Market Saturday mornings 8:00 a.m. till noon. Proceeds to benefit the Farmers' Market Pavilion Fund. Calendars make great holiday gifts, and this one's even better because it gives back to the Columbia community.

Dan and Melinda will be at the market to sign calendars on Saturday, October 4th between 9 and 11 a.m. The Columbia Farmersʼ Market is located at the corner of Ash Street and Clinksclaes Road in the ARC parking lot. The Columbia Farmersʼ Market was awarded best slogan, ʽthe Saturday morning place to be,ʼ by the Missouri Department of Agriculture , AgriMissouri and the Missouri Farmers' Market Association for 2008.

The calendars are available online or stop by the Market Oasis while shopping at the market.

Off to the Market We Go

What’s better to do on a Saturday then get out to the farmers’ markets and enjoy the best of Missouri home-grown produce and much more!

I spent this past Saturday doing just that. It had been awhile since I was able to do some market visits with the Missouri State Fair activities putting me a little bit behind on my normal farm tours and market visits.

Saturday started off to be a foggy and cold one when I stopped into the Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers’ Market. However, the weather didn’t keep the shoppers away, even Rachel Rays folks stopped in to do some filming of the market while I was visiting.

Shoppers can expect to find an array of products at the market including: fresh garden flowers, baked goods, vegetables, fruits, honey, jams and jellies, homemade chips and salsa and more than 13 types of garlic.

The Historic Downtown Liberty Farmer’s Market sponsored by Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. is seeking producers interested in selling at the market this year. The market, located on Franklin Street and Main Street in Historic Downtown Liberty, MO, serves Liberty and surrounding communities each Saturday from May 3rd through October 25th from 7:00am until noon.

After visiting with the vendors at Liberty I headed into Kansas City for the City Market’s Melon Festival. Deb Connors, City Market Master showed me around the market and introduced me to all the farmer vendors. The Melon Festival has activites of all sorts for shoppers at the market that include both kids and adult events like the watermelon seed spitting contest, melon bowling and even melon hats.

The City Market is the region's largest farmers' market can be found at the City Market every Saturday and Sunday year-round. More than 140 vendor stalls burst with bedding plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, fresh baked goods and other sweets, cut flowers, meat products, honey and crafts made by local artisans.

The City Market was named the 2008 Market of the Year by the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri. The market strives to bring its customers great service and entertainment. The market provides an information table where shoppers can purchase market tote bags, posters and other promotional items, a tomato taxi that takes customers purchases to their cars for them, Mother Nature Storytime for children and a train that drives all around the market for children to ride.

Summer Farmers’ Market Hours: March - October; Saturdays 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sundays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Winter Farmers’ Market Hours: November - March; Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Sundays 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Don’t miss the City Market’s City Market Cinema Rocky Horror Picture Show, Friday, September 26, starting at 9 pm for a unique open air screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Admission is FREE.

Get out to your local market today and enjoy Missouri apples this season.

Highly Successful State Fair Farmers’ Market

The Missouri Department of Agriculture along with the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri held the first ever Farmers’ Market at the 2008 Missouri State Fair the past two weeks. After 11 days of running the market in the Agriculture Building on the state fairgrounds the market brought in over $4,822.97 in sales and was a big hit at the fair. All funds raised will go back to the MDA to use for marketing and educational needs to promote the Missouri Farmers' Market industry.

Local produce was sold from eight different Missouri farmers’ market vendors and the market was utilized by fair campers, local Sedalia residents and fair visitors. More than 175,000 individuals came through the Buy Missouri…Buy Local, Eat Local….Got 4 It area during the fair. The area focused on the importance of supporting local farmers and forest product companies. The Buy Missouri area also offered visitors not only a farmers’ market where they could purchase local fruits and vegetables, but information on Agritourism operations and community markets around the state, an interactive area that included two computer set-ups where consumers could log on to the web and find a market near their home, plan their next Agritourism adventure, locate area forest companies and purchase local Missouri forestry products.

More than 37 volunteers, which included MDA staff, farmers’ market vendors and markets masters, forestry industry companies and Master Gardeners from around the state, donated their time to run the area throughout the fair.

Heirloom tomatoes from Fahrmeier Farms in Lexington were showcased and visitors could taste the freshness of Missouri through taste testing of more than six varieties of heirlooms. Other products sold included tomatoes, eggplant and cucumbers from Anderson Produce of Centertown, cantaloupe, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers from The Veggie Patch of Glasgow, peppers, grape tomatoes, onions from Fahrmeier Farms, sweet corn from Lowell Mohler of Jefferson City and David Kottman of Armstrong, watermelons from Freeman Farms in Tipton and peaches from Peach Tree Farms in Boonville and Rasa Orchard in Lexington.

The market not only provided a fun addition to the Agriculture Building this year, but educated consumers on the importance of buying local and eating healthy. In addition, a Missouri Farmers' Market Media Event was held on August 9 to promote Missouri Farmers' Market Week August 3-9, with a reading of a Proclamation by Director of Agriculture Don Steen.

The MDA is already underway planning for next year’s State Fair Farmers’ Market.

Take a look photos from the State Fair Farmers’ Market.

State Fair Farmers’ Market

Yes, that’s right you read the headline correctly. The Missouri Department of Agriculture will be setting up a farmers’ market booth in the Agriculture Building this year. The area, called Buy Missouri, will promote Missouri’s more than 140 farmers’ markets, Agritourism industry and the forest industry. The goal of the area is to create consumer awareness on the importance of buy local Missouri products, whether that’s food for your dinner table or wood products for your home!

The area will be decorated with items from the State Fair Horticulture Contest and wooden walls and a barn roof, donated from various forest product companies in Missouri, will be constructed to house a pumpkin patch in the area. There will be a large farmers’ market stand in the middle of the area, where State Fair campers and visitors to the fair can purchase fresh produce, an interactive media area that will feature farmers’ market podcasts and videos, an Agritourism buyers’ guide and videos of forestry companies around the state.

We are looking for market volunteers for the information table in the Buy Missouri booth. If you are interested in helping out this year at the fair please contact Lane or Charlotte.

Hope to see you at the fair this year!

Ron Hale Funeral Services

Tuesday night I got word about an accident involving one of our own marketers from a friend in Farmington. With deep sorrow I report the death of Ron Hale due to a tractor accident on his farm. Ron served as the Missouri Farmers' Market Association Vice President.

Ron will be deeply missed by all. He was a kind and caring man that was always willing to lend a helping hand to all who he came into contact with.

He has helped build the MFMA, pushed for local foods and aided in the increase in new growers across the state.

I know I speak for all when I say that Ron was a true friend that was always willing to help others. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in their time of need.

Condolences may be sent to Ron's wife, Joy, at:
2587 Highway OO
Farmington, Missouri 63640

Visitation starts today (Thursday) from 5-9pm at the Taylor Funeral Home in Farmington. Visitation will resume Friday, 6:30-8:30 am. The funeral will be held Friday, 9am at the Farmington Church of the Nazarene, 801 North Middle St., Farmington, MO 63640.

You can find more information on the Taylor Funeral Services website and sign a guest book.

Missouri Farmers Market Maps Available

Hi, I thought I'd quickly introduce myself. I'm Sarah Gehring, I work at the Department of Agriculture with Lane and Charlotte. I am the Member Services Coordinator for the AgriMissouri program. Lane and Charlotte are out of the office the next two days so I'm guest blogging.

Lane and Charlotte do such a great job keeping all of you updated on what's going on here at the Department and around the state that I was trying to figure out what should I write about. Well as luck would have it, last Friday the 2008 Farmers Market Maps arrived in our office. This map plots all of the farmers' markets who are members of the Missouri Farmers' Market Association (MFMA) and/or AgriMissouri. Each market on the map has a more detailed listing on the back of the brochure which includes day(s) and hours of operation, length of season and contact information.

In addition to the Farmers Market Map we also just received the 2008 Agritourism Map. This map includes farmers' markets who joined MFMA and completed their AgriMissouri membership form and agritourism businesses throughout the state. Both maps are being distributed throughout the state.

If you'd like to receive either or both of these maps to hand out at your market or for your personal use, just drop me an email and I'm happy to send them to you. I also blog on the AgriMissouri Showcase so if you have time, stop by and take a look.

Sarah

Webb City Leads the Way

Each year, Missouri communities offer consumers 135 farmers’ markets across the state. These markets support locally grown products and agricultural diversity, provide fresh produce to consumers and enhance local economies.

Promoting the importance of agriculture to their community, the Webb City Farmers’ Market took home the Best Event of the Year award at the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association Annual Meeting. The Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri™ sponsor the awards. The Webb City Farmers’ Market received recognition for their Market Roots Celebration, which celebrates the heritage of vendors, volunteers, customers and the market foods.

“Farmers’ markets continue to promote the agricultural industry and provide fresh, local foods to communities and consumers across the state,” said Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “We congratulate the Webb City market on their creative event ideas and commend them for continuing to provide locally grown produce for area consumers.”

Market Roots 2007 celebrated ancestry with each vendor and volunteer displaying a sign showing their place of birth and origin of ancestors. The signs of immigrant farmers also included when and where they became U.S. citizens. A table displayed with Missouri produce identified the origins of the Webb City market’s foods with local peaches being traced to their origin in China, corn to Peru and okra to Africa. The Historical Society provided a large map for customers to pin down their roots and join in the celebration.

This year’s Market Roots Celebration at the Webb City Farmers’ Market is scheduled for June 10. The Webb City market opens for the season on Fri., April 25 and will be open Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October. The market will also be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in June and July.

For more information regarding the Webb City Farmers’ Market, contact Eileen Nichols, market manager, at (417) 673-5866 or visit http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M3615.

Boone County Farmers’ Market Opens April 5

Farmers’ Market Brings Fresh Produce to Mid-Missouri

Missouri is home to more than 130 farmers’ markets across the state offering consumers locally grown, fresh products. These markets support agricultural diversity and enhance local economies. The Boone County Farmers’ Market will begin its sixth season this Saturday, April 5, at the Columbia-Boone County Health Department parking lot located at West Blvd. and Worley St. in Columbia. The farmers’ market opens at 8:00 a.m.

(PHOTO: Rainbow Produce's Rick Goodman selling at the market.)

"Missouri is home to many great farmers’ markets offering local foods. These markets not only offer products from here in Missouri, but they are also an increasing source of income for our producers across the state,” said Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “Farmers’ markets continue to promote agriculture and provide fresh, local foods to communities throughout Missouri.”

Early season markets will feature herb, flower and vegetable bedding plants along with hanging baskets and other blooming flowers. Also available are early spring vegetables including spinach and lettuce along with beef, lamb, eggs from free range chickens. New this season, the Boone County Farmers’ Market will offer goat cheese and related products. Rounding out a great selection of locally produced feasts, baked goods and coffee will also be offered at the farmers’ market.

The Boone County Farmers’ Market will open each Saturday in April from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Beginning in May, evening markets will be added from 4-6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. All growers at the Boone County Farmers’ Market are from the central Missouri area and sell only what they produce themselves; customers can be assured that products are fresh and local.
"Every day the food conversation turns more toward the need for fresh and local foods in our diet,” said Rick Goodman, president of the Boone County Farmers’ Market. “Fresh and local not only means better health for the individual, but it also helps the local economy and keeps our small farmers in business.”

For more information regarding the Boone County Farmers’ Market, contact Rick Goodman at (573) 657-4694 or rckgoodman@yahoo.com.

New Market for 2008 and Even a New Blogger

Many of you hear me talk about blogging and podcasting as the new way to connect with younger consumers and to get a new demographic to the markets. I’m a huge fan on new media and am a true believe in the power of using this type of marketing for farmers’ markets.

There’s a new farmers’ market blog that recently made it’s début on the World Wide Web this week….the Willard Community Farmers’ Market. This market is not only new to blogging, but will be a new market for the 2008 growing season and is a new member of the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri.

If you are a grower interested in selling at the Willard Community Farmers’ Market contact Amy Sims by phone at 417-848-1798 or via email at willardcommunityfarmersmarket@Gmail.com

Farmers' Market Vouchers Boost Produce Consumption Among WIC Participants, Study Finds

Farmers' Market Vouchers Boost Produce Consumption Among WIC Participants, Study Finds
Jan 16, 2008
A study in this month's American Journal of Public Health suggests that participants in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) consume more fruits and vegetables when they are given produce subsidies to use at farmers' markets and supermarkets, the New York Times reports. To evaluate the efficacy of produce subsidies, University of California-Los Angeles researchers followed 602 local participants in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) for one year. Across the first six months, women in the intervention group received $10 in weekly vouchers to purchase produce from a nearby farmers' market or supermarket, while those in the control group received coupons for non-food items in exchange for information about their eating habits.

The researchers report that participants in the intervention group increased their fruit and vegetable consumption and sustained the increase six months after the coupons were suspended. Specifically, when compared with control group participants, women shopping at farmers' markets ate an additional 1.4 servings of produce per 1,000 calories and those shopping at supermarkets ate an additional 0.8 servings per 1,000 calories. Although the data do not indicate why mothers shopping at farmers' markets bought the most produce, some women reported finding fresher, higher quality produce at farmers markets. Others said they enjoyed the community experience and opportunity to interact directly with growers.

The Times suggests that, while the findings reinforce the positive impact of produce subsidies on fruit and vegetable consumption, they also indicate that vouchers provided by the WIC program may not offer enough support to boost produce consumption. Even after new guidelines take effect in February, the WIC program will offer monthly produce vouchers of $10 for breastfeeding mothers, $8 for all other mothers and $6 for each child per month, compared with $10 a week provided during this study. The researchers, meanwhile, point out that the findings indicate that WIC participants value fresh fruits and vegetables and suggest that increasing their accessibility will increase participants' consumption (Parker-Pope, New York Times, 1/15/08 [registration required]); Herman et al., American Journal of Public Health, January 2008 [subscription required]).

Conference Season in Full-Swing

The blog will not be updated much the next week as conference time is in full swing…Tomorrow the Missouri Organic Conference kicks-off where I will be presenting on Reaching the Next Generation of Organic Consumers. Then on Saturday the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association Annual Meeting will begin. We will be announcing the winners of the 2008 Farmers’ Market of the Year Awards, updating membership on promotional and state activities, new officers will be elected and it will be a great time for me to finally meet many producers face to face.

Then Sunday I’m traveling to Springfield to attend and exhibit at the Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference.

Hope to see you at one of these great events!

Fredericktown Workshop Was a Hit

Yesterday, was the first of the farmers’ market workshop series the MDA is holding around the state. We were in Fredericktown at the Black River Electric Facility and had 31 people attend the workshop.

The group was a lively group that was very enjoyable to work with throughout the day. Lots of questions were posed about egg licensing, certified scales, health department issues and ways to market specific products.

Many participants were very interested in the marketing session on “Romancing the Media” and a session from the Weights & Measures Division on “The Do’s & Don’ts at Selling for Market.”

The workshops are sponsored by AgriMissouri and the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association. AgriMissouri and Grow Native also sponsored raffle items for workshop participants. Market bags, price cards and AgriMissouri food products were given away.

Evaluations from the participants stated the workshops were very useful and enjoyable. Many folks found the marketing sessions very valuable and enjoyed hearing from a producer in their area and how they were marketing themselves at the market.

If you haven’t signed up for any of the workshops, I encourage you to take a look at the schedule and sign up for one of the next workshops.

MFMA Annual Meeting Next Week

The annual meeting/workshops will be held on Saturday, February 16th, at Lincoln University’s Carver Farm, 3804 Bald Hill Road, Jefferson City.

Noon - lunch
12:45 - 1:15 - registration
1:15 - 4:30 - workshops
4:30 - annual meeting

Growing Your Farmers Market, part I, presented by Jim Quinn, MU Extension
Keeping the market full of produce all season long, expanding market produce variety and attracting younger vendors

Growing Your Farmers Market, part 2, presented by Jake Davis, Missouri Farmers’ Union
Choosing the best organization, facility and location. Grant sources for facility improvement, events and promotions.

Direct Market Selling Skills, presented by Bill McKelvey, Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Program, UM-Columbia
The new MU guide for market vendors.

Perennial Best Sellers and New Trends in Market Produce, produced by Harris Seeds and presented by Eileen Nichols, Webb City market manager. This power point presentation will be available free on disc to all attending managers.

Becoming a Non-Profit, presented by Jake Davis, Missouri Farmers’ Union
How to fill out the form, why a market should consider becoming a non-profit.

MFMA Annual Meeting & Workshops

The Missouri Farmers’ Market Association will hold their annual meeting and workshop on Feb 16 in Jefferson City at the Carver Farm, Lincoln University.

Here’s the schedule:

Growing Your Farmers Market, part I, presented by Jim Quinn, MU Extension
"Keeping the market full of produce all season long, expanding market produce variety and
attracting younger vendors."

Growing Your Farmers Market, part 2, presented by Jake Davis, Missouri Farmers’ Union
"Choosing the best organization, facility and location. Grant sources for facility improvement,
events and promotions."

Direct Marketing Selling Skills, presented by Bill McKelvey, Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Program, UM-Columbia
"The new MU guide for market vendors on selling techniques."

Perennial best sellers and new trends in market produce, produced by Harris Seeds and presented by Eileen Nichols, Webb City market manager.
This power point presentation will be available to all attending managers on disc.

Becoming a Non-Profit, presented by Jake Davis, Missouri Farmers’ Union
"How to fill out the form, why a market should consider becoming a non-profit."

The annual meeting/workshops will be held on Saturday, February 16th, at the Carver
Farm, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, 3804 Bald Hill Road, Jefferson City
Noon - lunch
12:45 - 1:15 - registration
1:15 - 4:30 - workshops
4:30 - annual meeting

Get Registered Today:

Registration Form
Please send the following information, with your payment, to:
MFMA, PO Box 1, Webb City, MO 64870
Name(s) _________________________
Address _________________________

_______ Lunch(es) @ $11 each
(lunch reservations must be made no later than February 7th)

_______ Persons to attend workshops @ $15 per person
(MFMA individual members receive a $5 discount for one
person, family and market members receive a $5 discount for
up to two persons)

2008 Missouri Farmers' Market Workshop Registration

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), in conjunction with the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri™ will be holding statewide farmers’ market workshops that will focus on marketing and promotions.

Missouri offers consumers more than 130 farmers’ markets across the state that provides consumers fresh, local food. Markets are popular with farmers moving towards direct marketing of their products and with beginning farmers and immigrant farmers. Farmers’ markets are an essential part of Missouri’s agricultural economy, providing an outlet for Missouri farmers to sell their produce to consumers across the state

The statewide workshops will include the opportunity for vendors to bring their scales to get certified by the Weights & Measures Division of the MDA for the 2008 season. The workshops are open to market masters, market vendors and those individuals interested in starting a farmers’ market in their local community.

Registration is $10 per person, with lunch provided, and payment is due 7 days prior to the workshop. Please make checks payable to AgriMissouri™. Walk-ins the day of the workshop will be $20 per person.

Workshop Schedule & Locations:
Tuesday, Feb 26: St. Peters
St. Charles County Extension

Wednesday, Feb 27: Jackson
Cape Girardeau County Extension Center

Thursday, Feb 28: Springfield
Springfield Library Center

Monday, March 3: Jefferson City
Cole County Extension Office

Tuesday, March 4: Kirksville
Adair County Extension Office

Wednesday, March 5: Kansas City
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center

If interested in attending one of the workshops, contact Lane McConnell, Marketing Specialist with the MDA at 573-751-4339 or via email Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov.

Informational brochures and registration forms for the workshops can be found on the AgriMissouri website and on this blog on the side bar.

A special thanks to the St. Charles County Extension Office for providing their extension building at no charge and serving coffee and pastries to workshop participants the day of the Feb. 26 workshop in St. Peters.

Day 2: Blogging from Baltimore

The National Farmers’ Market Summit participants are a diverse group with about every farmers’ market stakeholder accounted for at the summit.

There are a total of 76 participants at the 1st ever National Farmers’ Market Summit. Of the 76 FM stakeholders, 25 are farmers’ market representatives (FM associations, managers, farmers), 26 are community partners (state departments of ag, university/extension, city planning, community development, local NGO’s) and 25 are national resource providers (federal agencies, national NGO’s and private foundations).

To say the least…many of the key state and national FM leaders are here to determine key issues and trends that markets will face in the coming future. This summit’s purpose is not to re-invent the wheel, but to pull all the wheels (FM leaders) together to determine the future of the farmer market industry across the nation.

Today, started with an opening address from Dr. Kenneth Clayton, Associate Administrator, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Chair of the Farmers’ Market Consortium. We also heard from Assistant Secretary of the Maryland Dept. of Ag, Patrick McMillian and USDA AMS Associate Deputy Director Errol Bragg.

The participants then were split up for 3(20 minute) rounds of small group brainstorming sessions to identify challenges facing markets.

Some of the main issues I thought correlated to Missouri were the following:

• Price cutting among vendors


• Direct Marketing techniques


• Finding vendors to sell at the markets


• What constitutes a FM


• Food safety concerns


• Vendor/consumer education


• Lack of federal/state funding


• EBT promotion


• Communication among markets

Many of these challenges I hope to address with our upcoming Missouri Farmers’ Market Workshops this winter.

What do you think are the challenges and obstacles that face our FM across Missouri? Where do you see the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association going the next five years? How do we overcome these obstacles?

Leave a comment and let your opinions be heard.