Tent Talk

We're talking this month about Building a Bigger Tent at our farmers markets. Let's remember that the more people and communities we welcome to markets, the deeper our variety of produce, products and personalities. Exclusion, whether purposeful or just thoughtless, means we miss out on all the richness that comes with diversity.   Sagdrina Brown Jalal is back with us for this episode, just in time for Juneteenth. While that day of historic remembrance is coming up next week on June 19th, observances and events will start this weekend and extend into next. We're talking about how your market can support that holiday. And we're looking at how organizations like the West Georgia Farmers Cooperative are working to level the playing field and lift up small farmers all year round. Tune in while we discuss:   Support can be more appropriate than leadership The exhausting history of resilience Bridging urban and rural division Looking beyond Federal funding Partnership and collaboration as strength #Farmersmarkets #Juneteenth #Blackfarmersmarkets #Cooperatives #Belovedcommunity #SageDCollective

This month we're going to be talking about Building a Bigger Tent and keeping our commitment to making farmers markets a welcoming and opportunity filled place for everyone. We're also getting ready to launch some new ways to share information to make your farmers market more profitable and less stressful for farmers, producers and managers. Don't miss those upcoming announcements. Meanwhile, expect some shorter episodes this summer leading up to our next full season, and the occasional longer one. Dip into the archives anytime: there are currently almost 350 episodes there.  Quick reminder: you have just a few days before registration closes on June 5th for the International Public Markets Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this month. Our own Catt Fields White will be hosting a panel there on market operations. Click the PPS logo on the Resource Page at FarmersMarketPros.com to register.

Wrapping up our series on defining farmers markets, we're chatting in this episode about what a farmers market is, and what it isn't. Whether inadvertently or intentionally, a lot of places and platforms and events are identified as farmers markets that don't meet the definition. Tents alone do not a farmers market make and the same goes for fresh produce. Are there farmers present? Does it happen regularly? We're intent on keeping our word. Speaking up for farmers markets means reminding people what a farmers market really is, and why that matters.    Listen in as we discuss What makes a farmers market Helping consumers know the difference Other platforms, other names Calling out greenwashing Keeping our word    Today's episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by TentCraft

In this episode of our series on defining farmers markets we consider online ordering and delivery services by looking back to a June, 2021 conversation with Christine Farren, Executive Director of San Francisco's Foodwise. Back then, the organization formerly known as Cuesa was redesigning the curated boxes developed on the fly during peak Covid into a delivery service managed with a logistics partner. Tune in as we discuss how online ordering and home delivery fits into the definition of farmers markets as a place where farmers and eaters form relationships.    Listen to our conversation about: Flexibility as a superpower Sharing other organizations' strengths Doing the math on delivery Keeping new systems equitable The importance of face time   Today's episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Project for Public Spaces  

Continuing our series on defining farmers markets we like to wonder: what if everyone in a region or in the country agreed on one set of best practices and one set of rules for farmers markets? In this episode we're talking with Dr. Kim Hutchison and Meredith Ledlie Johnson about how the Virginia Farmers Market Association has done just that. Bringing in multiple stakeholders helped create consistent standards. Education and certification of managers and farmers markets provides validation and a sense of pride. Leveraging that recognition to negotiate managers' compensation and public policy are additional benefits.    Listen in as we talk about: Creating consistent standards Recognizing our industry's strengths Bringing multiple agencies to the table Documenting the work we do How certification affects salaries    Today's episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by American Farmland Trust

Defining farmers markets starts with one common thread: the presence of farmers, selling to shoppers. From there all bets are off and protocols and structure can vary widely.  This week we're looking back to a conversation with farmer Jake Johannes from the Sacred Sun Cooperative. He shares how the Brookside Farmers Market in Kansas City, Missouri is organized as an almost all-volunteer market. Farmers and vendors serve on the board, actively assisting a paid manager to maintain standards centered on local food and "radically sustainable practices".   Listen in as we talk about: • Centering producers  • Maintaining market integrity • Avoiding conflicts of interest • Supporting your market manager • Compassionate decision making   Today's episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by Farmers Market University.

We're wrapping up this month's Marketing Methods series with a reminder that social media is just one way to create loyal shoppers for your farmers market operation, and not necessarily the best one. Nowadays rules and algorithms and reach seem to change daily, at the whim of the platforms. Email newsletters let you control your list and your timing, and personalize your outreach to build connections. How do you maximize those results? In this episode, Erika Tebbens, the Director of Impact at woman-owned and woman-led local food marketing agency Taste the Local Difference, makes a convincing case for breathing new life into your email marketing campaigns. Listen in to this exclusive excerpt of Erika's presentation at the 2025 In Tents National Farmers Market Conference. We've skipped the parts of her session that relied heavily on visuals. Listen in for expert tips on how to keep your content in front of shoppers who will keep coming back to the market, as well as:  Determining the best email platform  Building and expanding your own contact list Including effective calls to action   

Is anyone else going all in on the Spring cleaning vibes? It's a great time to do a refresh, or even just a review of your market business website. We've been saying this a lot lately, but we'll say it again: have you made it easy for your customers to find you? Is your location front and center? Your website is an opportunity for you to tell potential shoppers not only where you are, but who you are and why your business is unique. Whether you've got thousands of social media followers, or you're just starting to grow your market business, your website is still often the first place a shopper will go to learn more about you. Tune in for another episode in this month's Marketing Methods series, and follow along as we discuss:  Making sure crucial information is front and center  Landing pages and links Vendors and sponsors and maps, oh my! Who updates your website, and how often

Marketing is just one of a market manager's or vendor's full time jobs. So a cooperative effort that benefits multiple markets is invaluable. Add in centralized sales of gift certificates redeemable region-wide and everyone will be harvesting a bumper crop of additional income. Maine Federation of Farmers Markets director Jimmy DeBiasi joined us last year to explain selling employers on using market dollars as part of their workplace wellness programs. He dug even deeper into the how-to at last month's InTents Farmers Market Conference. This week in our Marketing Methods series listen as we chat with Jimmy about: The power of cooperative marketing The impressive total of sales generated How tough is tracking and billing? (Not as hard as you'd think.) The key selling points for big buyers

Once folks experience your farmers market or market business you know they'll be hooked. How you get them there the first time, and how you remind them to come back until they form a habit, that's the marketing magic. We're kicking off this month's Marketing Methods series with a look at which social media platforms will most effectively get the word out about your market. Where you're posting, what you're posting, and what kind of content performs best is important. Which platforms you trust and want to support is also worth considering these days. Listen in as we discuss: What types of content the algorithms reward  When newer platforms are worth exploring  Whether going viral should be the goal  Why cooperation is the new competition

In the last of this month's series sharing farmers market stories, we catch up with Sina War about all the latest ways she's supporting our community. A multipotentialite, she's worn a lot of hats in our industry. She's been a hands-on farmers market manager and developed a food product made from peppers she grew herself. At the Minnesota Farmers Market Association she's shared recipes on local TV and advocated for local food systems at the state legislature. Sina has the heart of an educator, and nurturing new farmers comes naturally. Join us as we hear what Sina's up to next, and discuss:  Why multiple roles are natural in the farmers market world All the ways to speak up for farmers markets The little seedling that Sina's focused on right now When Grow Your Green will start helping new farmers thrive 

For our annual Live from InTents episode, Tent Talk producer Leandra Hays sat down earlier this month with almost 30 attendees of the hundreds at the national Farmers Market Conference in San Diego. They shared what keeps them going and what rewards them in the face of farmers market challenges. Tune in to hear all about it.  

Lisa Herlinger is a trained chef turned entrepreneur who launched her gourmet ice cream sandwich company at the Portland Farmers Market back in 2004. More than two decades later, it's a thriving business with wholesale grocery and convenience store distribution, spreading joy and dominating frozen novelty aisles nationwide. Tune in to hear about Ruby Jewel's growth as we share: Lisa's commitment to locally sourced ingredients  Finding the balance between quality and price The value of sampling at markets Financial considerations of scaling to wholesale

Michael Clark is a third generation family farmer who grew up working at farmers markets and on the farm. Over the years JR (for Joe Rodriguez) Organics, his family's business, has expanded to include more than a dozen weekly farmers markets, a robust CSA program and wholesale customers. Mike manages sales and production and still works at several markets a week himself. Listen in as he explains: Why the farm has a CSA program How a CSA can work hand-in-hand with farmers markets Benefits of and obstacles to organic certification The charms and challenges of working with family

Wrapping up our Recruit and Retain series, we come back to what makes it all come together: shoppers. Remember, we heard from Corinna Smith earlier this month that increasing market attendance is great, but what's critical is  how many of those attendees are buying something at the market. Are they filling those shopping bags and baskets? Then retaining farmers and vendors is a slam dunk. That income will allow you to retain staff. It's a whole ecosystem right there.  In the final installment of this series, let's talk about some Farmers Market pro tips, including:  Followers are fine, engagement is epic More attendees is good, more buyers is key Email lists may be more secure than social platforms Co-op marketing with local businesses is golden It's not QUITE too late to register for this year's InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, in San Diego March 10th -12th and live online. Link in bio or click Register Now at FarmersMarketPros.com You need this. 

Every farmers market manager knows that curating a well-balanced market is both an art and a science. Whether you're running a seasoned market or developing a brand new event, recruiting and vetting vendors that fit the needs of your individual community is key. Keeping things balanced so that everyone profits is essential. Maintaining long-term, mutually respectful relationships with each of your vendors creates that consistent set of offerings that will build a loyal customer base. Listen in as we go deeper and consider: Identifying a mission and holding fast to your values Walking the line between scouting and stalking Considering trends while prioritizing balance Matchmaking the perfect vendor and market fit Teaching vendors to help you help them Use the link in our bio to register today for the 9th annual InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, coming March 10-12, 2025 in San Diego. Nothing beats the power of market people coming together. 

By any reasonable definition, it's not a farmers market without farmers. Uniquely positioned to foster relationships between consumers and the people that grow their food, farmers markets help farmers thrive financially and feel encouraged and supported by their communities. Let farmers know about the advantages of selling direct, make them feel valued and help them develop sales skills and they'll stay with your market for years to come. Listen in as the Farmers Market Pros catch up with Corinna Smith of the Columbia Farmers Market in Missouri, where new farmers are blooming and some producers have been selling for over 30 years. Discover tips including: How to find new farmers for your market Ways to demonstrate the benefits of direct to consumer sales Making farmers proud to partner with your market Working with other farmers markets to create a local market culture There's still time to register for the 9th annual InTents the National Farmers Market Conference in San Diego, California 2025. Link in bio or register at farmersmarketpros.com 

The team that helps you sell vegetables or granola at your farmers market booth makes all the difference in your income. The staff that sets up and manages the market makes the job productive and satisfying or just a whole lot of work. Learning to recruit the right people will make your market business more successful and just more fun. Creating systems to keep the band together are just as important. Employees with more knowledge and experience are more comfortable on the job and that trickles down.    On this episode the Farmers Market Pros chat with Natalie Labejof Farm Habit about hiring and managing staff for multiple markets. Listen in as we discuss topics including:   • Detailed job postings save everyone's time • Your team is a key part of the interview process • Vibes just might be as important as skills • Budgeting for training pays off big time   Register today for the 9th annual InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, coming March 10-12, 2025 in San Diego. Nothing beats the power of market people coming together. 

Where do you start to develop and maintain relationships with your farmers maket's neighboring residents and businesses? Start with outreach, then add big portions of listening and cooperation. Working together will make your community happier and your market more successful. Listen in for how-to tips including: Taking your team on a local field trip  Resolving complaints to gain loyal supporters Using surveys to prove rising tides float all boats Sharing stories and building friendships Use the link in our bio to register today for the 9th annual InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, coming March 10-12, 2025 in San Diego. Hotel discounts end soon.

There's no one right way to manage vendor applications for your farmers market. Some managers prefer simple inquiry  emails before a detailed form. Some market management platforms integrate applications with online maps and vendor profiles. We all need to know business names and exactly what will be sold. An origin story makes an application more interesting, permit and insurance information generally gets it processed more quickly.    On this episode the Farmers Market Pros discuss our experiences and preferences, then we chat with Cara Mae Wooledge of Napa Farmers Market and Chloe Kuhn and SJ Osborne or the Riverside Arts Market.  Listen in for a variety of opinions and tips on topics including: Longer applications lead to good decisions Detailed instructions save everyone's time Should vendors visit before applying? You don't want to miss Michael Jordan There's still time to sign up for Farmers Market University's live online market manager certification class starting January 24th. Use code FMPROS25 to save when you register at FarmersMarketUniversity.com   Use the link in our bio to register today for the 9th annual InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, coming March 10-12, 2025 in San Diego. 

How many eggs did Apricot Lane Farms collect in 2024? Eighty three thousand five hundred ninety seven. How do we know that? Because they posted a clever graphic that said so. What does that make us think about their farm? They must be hardworking farmers and have some happy chickens. Use numbers to share your farm, business or farmers market accomplishments and impress your shoppers. Make it eye-catching and fun to be sure it's memorable. Listen in for how-to tips including:   Exact numbers are more impressive and memorable Should you share products made or sales totals?  Creating graphics doesn't need to be complicated So much can be counted: how many tents did you pop?   Thanks @apricotlanefarms for the graphic. We love those chickens and those farmers.   There's still time to sign up for Farmers Market University's live online market manager certification class starting January 24th. Use code FMPROS25 to save when you register at FarmersMarketUniversity.com   Use the link in our bio to register today for the 9th annual InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, coming March 10-12, 2025 in San Diego.   

Farmers Market Day logbooks can store valuable information, customer requests and market history. Whether you use them to track attendance or sales, complaints or comedy, they can be helpful and interesting if you both maintain and read them. Listen in for tips to decide what to include and how to format your market log, based on the Farmers Market Pros' experience and other market managers' and market business owners' input. These are some of our takeaways: A standard set of information can help predict trends Multiple team members reporting is most accurate  Open ended questions can yield better insights Don't spend time collecting info unless you'll use it   #farmersmarkets #recordkeeping #farmersmarketday #smallfarmers #smallbusiness #marketmanagerlife #farmersmarketsdontjusthappen

And just like that another year of farmers markets is coming to a close. We're ringing in this new year quietly. 2024 has been full of meaningful connections, community-building and so many conferences. In the coming weeks we'll be sharing our inTENTions for 2025, tips and how-tos, and new ways to connect. We're cooking up some exciting new things, so stay tuned. Don't forget to register for InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference; we can't wait to see you there.  Thanks for listening all year long, and we're wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Whether you're observing  a holiday this week or not, remember that you are a gift to your communities every week of the year. We hope you find time to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Wishing happy holidays to all who celebrate and peace to one and all.

The season for holiday gifting is here! Whether you're a market manager, farmer or vendor, we have great tips for remembering all the people who have supported you this year. It really is the thought that counts so if gifts aren't in the budget we suggest other ways to acknowledge the people you appreciate. Grab your list, check it twice and listen in to this spotlight episode from 2023 as we discuss:   • Who's on our holiday list • Useful gifts for your team • Shopping local, of course! • Big impact on a low budget

For some folks making year-end donations is a tax strategy. Others just feel generous this time of year. It's a perfect time to bolster your farmers market's fundraising efforts and finish the year with a balanced budget. Even though your core market business is hopefully self sustaining, many market organizations also provide educational programs and supplement nutrition incentive programs. Those are efforts your community can help support. Listen in as we talk about how to make that ask effective:  Be specific about why you need support Explore the best ways to reach your fans Give your followers the opportunity to give Report back on results and say thank you

We've been talking about the 4 Ps for market success since we started our Vendor-101 class almost 15 years ago. Product, packaging or presentation, personality and today's focus: Professionalism. Farmers markets are a shopping environment where one vendor's actions and attitudes can affect a lot of people's businesses. Be a most valuable farmer or vendor by remembering some of the things we're chatting about today: Being timely during the application process Ways to build trust with shoppers Communicating the "why" helps  Remembering kindness counts  

This week we caught up with James Grevious of Rebel Marketplace in Aurora, Colorado. Since he last joined us on Tent Talk, he's been addressing  challenges around establishing a consistent location and a sustainable business model. Staying rebellious, he  continues to create neighborhood food security with a hyper local farmers market. Along with today's update, it's a pleasure to share our talk with James that was originally broadcast in August 2023.  Listen in For James' views and tips on: Intentionally developing and incubating urban farmers  Increasing community capacity from the inside  Balancing market growth and operator capacity  Weighing community needs and financial security

Inviting young people to vend at your farmers market can foster a new generation of market entrepreneurs and delight your community. Sure, there are challenges. It can be a trick to be sure that kids meet permit requirements. Their grown up is probably going to have to sign for insurance. Figure it all out and watch as family and friends come out to support the youngsters and maybe get hooked on farmers market shopping for the long term. Listen in as we consider:   Exploring local regulations for under age vendors  Deciding whether friendship bracelets fit your farmers market  Providing sales tips and training to kids Making sure your consistent vendors benefit too

Whether you're a farmer, maker or market manager, if you have a team, providing them with feedback will make their work life and yours better. It doesn't have to be awkward or uncomfortable to discuss workplace performance. (OK, sometimes it can be.) If you've provided employees with expectations and the tools to meet them, this is just a checkup. We're talking today about how we make these chats productive for everyone involved, including:  Giving people a chance for self evaluation Hire in a hurry? It's never too late to share job descriptions.  We're all motivated by know the why behind processes  Bosses can benefit from feedback too: listen!

What could be a more fitting fundraiser for a market organization than a dinner featuring local chefs and farm fresh ingredients? Organizing a farm to table dinner or a cultural food festival is a little different than coordinating a farmers market. Kasi Haire of Nolensville Farmers Market in Tennessee assures us that much of the skill set is the same: planning, staffing, renting equipment and marketing. Listen in to hear how and why her market keeps finding new ways to help people do good by eating well, including:   The pros and cons of serving dinner on a farm What to consider when budgeting for your event Why fundraising is just one of the goals How to use special events to incubate new vendors

Bookkeeping is yet another of the many hats that farmers market managers wear. There are so many formulas for setting space rent at markets and, especially post-Covid, a whole variety of ways to manage calculating and actually collecting those fees. Do you use a market management program with built in invoicing? Are you adding up percentages of sales and handling cash at the market? Either way, there's plenty to consider and to communicate to make sure things run smoothly. Let's talk about: Pros and cons of flat fees and percentage of sales rates Calculating processing fees vs labor costs Reimbursing for nutrition incentives  Understanding penalties for missing markets or late payments  Building trust with clear communication   

How do you learn and grow in your farmers market career? We met Jessica Mullen of South Carolina's Travelers Rest Farmers Market when she traveled to San Diego for InTents, the national Farmers Market conference. In this episode of Tent Talk, Jessica shares what she finds valuable about InTents and other conferences and networking with other market professionals. She's all about learning, and also about offering educational opportunities at her market. Listen in for Jessica's tips on: Interactive programming for kids Simple cooking classes at the market Using data to educate your community Funding education for farmers and vendors  

What's new and exciting, and what's comforting and familiar about InTents, the multinational Farmers Market Conference? Join us for a quick look ahead to what's in store in March 2025.   What's NEW:  2025 Theme: Speak Up for Farmers Markets! Brand new venue with rooms and meeting spaces under one roof Central location with shops and restaurants and the beach nearby Break out tracks for new and experienced market managers Special sessions for market farmers and vendors What's FAMILIAR: Speed-friending session lead by Cara Mae Wooledge Making your market or business financially sustainable Tons of networking time with people who get you Local food, inspiring talks, (mostly) sunny San Diego

While working for a cheese maker at New York City farmers markets, Peter Henry started thinking about ways producers could expand their reach and increase efficiencies. Now, Ten by Ten Logistics serves more than a dozen farmers at markets throughout New York. Peter continues to explore and refine systems of transporting goods to market, managing inventory and using staff based closer to the market than the farm. Listen in to hear what kinds of coordination help farmers sell at more markets and still have time to farm.  Separating packing and driving from farming, setting up and selling Palletizing so the tent weights are on the truck and the Square is charged Training farmers' own city-based employees on best market practices Creating compensation models that benefit everyone involved

It's another Ask the Pros episode this week, with a mix of topics based on listener questions. We always find that discussing one person's question helps others that are pondering some variation of the same thing. If we don't necessarily have THE answer, we have ideas and experience and those might inspire your handy solution. There's nothing quite like the hive mind. This week we're talking about these questions and more:   • Where can farmers find online tutorials for building effective marketing displays? • How do market managers control political campaigners at the market? • Can we help farmers kick the plastic bag habit?  • What does it actually cost a market to facilitate EBT use?   And last but not least, could a chicken salad donut be a thing? We'll have to check with the sourdough wizards at Slow Rise.

The fourth quarter rolls around every year, but somehow we often forget what to do to prepare for it. Listen in as we chat about moving past the September slump. We're looking forward and making plans to make the upcoming season more productive and less stressful. How are you getting ahead of things?   Reminding farmers and vendors that this cycle happens every year Planning ahead for necessary off days Using slow days to experiment with new displays and systems Recognizing that you can do anything, but maybe not all at once   #farmersmarket #holidaymarkets #popupmarkets #marketvendors #smallfarmers #marketmanagerlife

Managing a farmers market is just like managing a craft fair or fall festival, right? Yes. And no. There are similarities and there are big differences between coordinating vendors on a weekly basis and once a year. When experienced annual event managers Patricia and Brett Keller took over a local farmers market after the sudden departure of its founding manager, they learned a few things. Are you a large scale event coordinator thinking about taking on a farmers market, or a market manager planning an annual fundraiser? Listen in while they share those lessons, including:   • Ease into changes to an established market to avoid mutiny • Relationships are key to both kinds of events • A permit is a permit is a permit, right? Not always • Recruiting help once a year is different than weekly staffing   Today's episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference.

This week we're sharing something a little bit different: a podcast episode where Catt Fields White is the featured guest. Enjoy this conversation from the Fresh Take podcast about the importance of supporting local farmers, small businesses and of course farmers' markets. If Catt doesn't convince you over the next 45 minutes that farmers markets will save the planet, you might want to listen one more time.

Market participants are a generous bunch, so how do you make sure your farmers and vendors don't give away the farm, so to speak? Freebies and discounts that are shared with market managers, staff and fellow vendors are fun. Still, some guidelines are important. Gifts from the market to your community's worthy causes are the same. Keeping your heart and your business mind aligned is important to keep your whole market family financially healthy. Join us as we consider:   Appreciating generosity while watching out for farmers' well being Developing guidelines to avoid conflicts Balancing the costs and benefits of donations Using donations and giveaways to build loyal shoppers

When The Food Corridor offered a Shared Kitchen-101 workshop at the 2023 InTents Conference, it was a sell out. It's no wonder. In a survey of food businesses operating out of shared kitchens, farmers markets were the most commonly used sales channels, with over 50% responding that they sell at one or more farmers markets. A shortage of kitchens ultimately means a shortage of food vendors at farmers markets, so many markets are exploring developing their own incubator kitchens. Join us as we chat with Food Corridor CEO Ashley Colpaart and discover:   • How to find a shared kitchen that has what you need • Like market managers, shared kitchen operators' jobs are weird • Why swim goggles are required while making habanero hot sauce • The excitement about the Shared Kitchen Summit being back in person 

Selling farmers market gift certificates are a great way to help dedicated customers introduce friends, relatives and associates to the world of fresher food and local community. Now kick that idea up 350,000 notches. Maine Federation of Farmers Markets proactively sells employers on using market dollars as part of their workplace wellness programs and farmers markets statewide are harvesting a bumper crop of sales and shoppers. Listen in as we discuss that program and other topics including:   • The power of cooperative marketing • How tough is tracking and billing? (Not as hard as you'd think.) • The key selling points for big buyers • Don't miss a little tangent about possible changes to SNAP at markets

With election season upon us, managing free speech issues at farmers markets is top of mind. This week we're chatting with Wendy Chen, of the Center for Agricultural and Food Systems at Vermont Law School for a quick update on court decisions that might affect how you manage free speech at your market. And we're spotlighting an episode originally broadcast in 2021, with Lihlani Nelson, also of Vermont Law School, home of the Farmers market Legal Toolkit. Topics today include   • Limiting your farmers market's liability with clear guidelines • Whether speech outside the market can be regulated • How your governing structure might affect your decisions • How to access the Farmers Market Legal Toolkit resources

We know you're busy this week. Us too! Catt's on the road speaking at conferences and visiting Midwest markets. Brijet's rocking National Farmers Market Week in San Diego. You're doing the same, right? So take just a minute and tune in while we chat with Erica Meadows of the Mt Washington Farmers Market in Kentucky. They gained the most votes in America Farmland Trust's 2024 America's Farmers Market Celebration and scored the big prize. We also hear from our friend Sagdrina on Farmers Market Week, National Black Business Month and the latest Farmers Market Coalition initiatives. Super Early Bird tickets for InTents, the Farmers Market Conference is live now with big savings: don't sleep on that. Use the link in our bio and save your seat. 

We have a mixed bag of topics in this month's Ask the Pros episode. With hot weather advisories, fires and floods becoming more common, we've been getting a lot of questions about when closing a market is justified. Weather or not, farmers need to move their produce so it's not a decision managers take lightly. We're chatting about that and a variety of other questions from our listeners and our online community today Listen in while we chat about these quandaries and more:    • Balancing safety, comfort and farmers' and vendors' need to make a living • What to do when you're selling out mid-market • Managing vendor to vendor conflicts that go public • Listening closely to find the source of customer complaints   Remember, Super Early Bird registration for InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference 2025 starts THIS Thursday. Watch this space and our email newsletter for all the details and save.

Join us for a report from Catt's trip to the World Farmers Market Coalition's second General Assembly, in Rome, Italy this month. Delegates from some 70 countries and organizations gathered, representing hundreds of farmers markets and policy making bodies. They heard about the international coalition's current projects and contributed to its visions for the future. Maybe most importantly, they shared perspectives, broke bread, and formed and renewed bonds, market operators from a multitude of places sharing the community that is common to farmers market culture.  

We're about to share so much news about 2025's InTents: the National Farmers Market Conference. Today, we're starting with the announcement that the Request for Proposals opens in just a few days. We're adding a special farmer and vendor track in 2025, so possibilities abound.   Are you ready to share your expertise about a topic with market managers or participants from throughout the US, Canada and beyond? Submit that proposal!   Do you have a need that you're hoping a speaker or panel will address? Pop us an email or a DM and we'll add it to our targets.   Listen in for some tips on how to create a successful proposal, then stick around as we look back on attendees at the 2022 Conference sharing what makes them keep doing this important work.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of many farmers markets and we know that even market managers are sometimes labeled as volunteers. That labor of love is admirable. Is it legal? That depends, and it's complicated. Wendy Chen joined us at InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference earlier this year. Her work at the Center for Agricultural and Food Systems at Vermont Law School includes the newest section of the Farmers Market Legal Toolkit, specifically focused on the role of volunteers at farmers markets. Listen in as we discuss the answers to these questions and more:      What kind of organizations can host volunteers? Do the market bucks you give volunteers put you at risk?   Who is responsible if a volunteer is injured at the market? Can a full time manager be a volunteer? What penalties come with misclassifying team members?   Find the new volunteer resource and more at farmersmarketlegaltoolkit.org

It's hard to believe that we've produced 300 episodes of Tent Talk, the farmers market podcast, since we started almost five years ago. You'd think we might run out of things to talk about, but nope! There are so many ideas to explore, questions to ponder, and issues to delve into. We love creating  opportunities for market businesses and operations to change and grow. We appreciate the endless number of interesting people doing amazing things that generously share their stories with us and our followers. We appreciate you for listening and subscribing. Join us today as we look back and look forward and have a few laughs. Stay tuned, we're just getting started. 

Call it internship, apprenticeship or learning by doing, it's all about training the next generation of farmers, foodmakers and market managers on the job. On this week's episode we talk about how interns can help your market and ways to make those programs beneficial for both sides. A true internship provides education and that takes effort. Determine the best time to establish an internship that works, by considering issues including:   Identifying the differences between interns and volunteers Deciding whether an internship is paid or unpaid  Making sure you get the work your interns produce into that binder Creating success stories like the one from Williamsburg Farmers Market   Thanks to Downtown SLO Farmers Market for the

It's the 25th anniversary of National Farmers Market Week. Get ready to get ready with the Farmers Market Coalition Toolkit, it's available now. Get ahead of the game with early press releases and outreach to your local policy makers. Order your temporary I Love Farmers Market tattoos. Plan a celebration and don't forget to slip in a little education. This is our week to shine. Join us as we chat with Nino Budabin McQuown of FMC about all the best ways to use the week to raise your farmers markets' profile, including:   Customize your celebration for your community Request a proclamation or visit from local officials now  Suggest farmers and market vendors use NFMW to promote their businesses Whether you plan ahead or scramble, make it fun FMC Toolkit: https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/national-farmers-market-week/