This Guide was developed after the completion of the 3-year project Reducing Tensions on Market Day: Training Farmers’ Market Organizers and Service Providers on Conflict Resolution and De-escalation Strategies, funded by Northeast SARE.

The three-year Maine/Vermont series was held over a 3-month period during farmers markets “off-season” months winter /early spring). The state leaders for each state invited up to 6 markets, taking variables in account around market operation (small v large; paid manager vs unpaid; member-run vs board-run) to ensure a wide yet synchronistic grouping. Market attendees were required to sign a commitment for two members of each market to attend all meetings (i.e. board, vendor, and/or paid market manager where applicable) and in implementing action steps.