Creating a Farmers Market Living Lab: Lessons Learned in Growing a Farmers Market

This booklet is the result of asking the question, “What can we do to increase sales and attendance at our market?”, reports the results from using our market as a “living lab” to systematically test ideas to answer this question.

North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association Resources

The NDFMGA has compiled extensive lists of resources for farmers markets, producers/growers, community, and other useful links.

Farmers Market Resources include:

• Marketing Toolkit for Farmers Markets and Vendors

• 2010 Market Exploration Grant Final Results

• Best Practices for Food Sampling at Farmers Markets

• Color Combinations for Signs and Banners

• Guide to Food Handling

• Guide to Starting your own farmers market

• Ideas for cooing demonstrations at the farmers market

• Letter visibility chart for signs and banners

• ND Farm to Market Guide

• ND market pricing study 2011

• Organic Labeling at Farmers Markets

• Starting a new farmers market management guide

• ND State Health Department ruling on selling home preserved items.

Check out these resources and more! 

Farm Advertising 101

While advertising may not be a typical marketing strategy for traditional farming operations, farmers and agri-entrepreneurs involved in direct-marketing, value-added or agritourism enterprises should include advertising in their marketing plan. These entrepreneurs need to become familiar with advertising fundamentals and concepts.

CSA Solutions Hub

The Hub collects information from CSA farmers, Small Farm Central staff, and others working with CSAs to bring you knowledge to help you move your CSA program forward including:
Resources to assist you in marketing your CSA, like “47 Tips and Tricks for CSA Farm Marketing”.
Articles dealing with problem members
Philosophical discussions about what constitutes a CSA

Local Food Demand in the U.S.: Evolution of the Marketplace and Future Potential

According to U.S. Census of Agriculture statistics, direct sales of edible farm products for human consumption rose dramatically from $404 million annually in 1992 to roughly 3 times that amount ($1.2 billion) by 2007. By 2012, this sales value had topped $1.3 billion per year, representing a 223 percent increase in growth over a 20‐year span and far outpacing the average rate of sales growth in the U.S. agricultural sector. This chapter in the Federal Reserve Board’s 2017 report Harvesting Opportunity outlines the performance of the direct-to-consumer marketing sector and charts its course in the coming years.

Accounting Software for Farmers

Accounting software for Agriculture and farming

New Jersey Produce Availability Chart

New Jersey Produce Availability Chart

Chapter 24 and You: A Practical Guide to Selling Safely at Farmers Markets

A booklet outlining food safety at farmers markets prepared by N.J. Department of Agriculture and N.J. Department of Health

Minimum Food Safety Requirements for Product Sales at Community Farmers’ Markets New Jersey

Minimum Food Safety Requirements for Product Sales for Farm Markets and Community Farmers’ Markets

Guidelines and Procedures for Rhode Island SFMNP Farmers

Guidelines and Procedures for Rhode Island SFMNP Farmers