Resource Center
Definition of a Farmers Market
What Makes a Farmers Market? Farmers Market Coalition Takes Stance, Engages Member - Farmers Market Coaltition decides on a definition of a Farmer's market as:
"A farmers market operates multiple times per year and is organized for the purpose of facilitating personal connections that create mutual benefits for local farmers, shoppers and communities. To fulfill that objective farmers markets define the term local, regularly communicate that definition to the public, and implement rules/guidelines of operation that ensure that the farmers market consists principally of farms selling directly to the public products that the farms have produced." read the full article
Affordable Product Liability Insurance
We now have a resource for very affordable product liability insurance through Campbell Risk Management. (click on the Farm Market Vendors tab).
Helpful Information for Farmers Market Managers
Rapid Market Assessment Resources
The WSFMA conducted RMAs at some of the member markets in 2008 and 2009, as a result of a specialty crop grant provided by the WA State Department of Agriculture. We have supplies and trained support for your market to conduct this useful customer survey. Contact info@wafarmersmarkets.com for more information about conducting an RMA at your farmers market. Examples below are from RMAs conducted during 2008 and 2009:
Tools for Rapid Market Assessments - Oregon Small Farms Technical Report - OSU [pdf 1.22 MB]
Roslyn Rapid Market Assessment [Word 6.4 MB]
Duvall Rapid Market Assessment [Excel 129 KB]
WSFMA Graphing Project [Excel 608 KB] - The graphs show what questions were asked of the markets’ customers and the answers from the customers. The graphs are good examples of questions for customers that a market could use for their RMA.
City of Seattle - Changes in Farmers Market Permitting Process
Farmers market permitting costs will be dramatically reduced under a new farmers market ordinance recently approved by the Seattle City Council. The ordinance, spearheaded by the Office of Economic Development with collaboration from other city departments, will reduce fees for street closures and used of parks as well as streamline the permit application process.
Business Planning for Farmers Markets
by Kirsten C. Workman, presented at the 2009 WSFMA Conference
PDF download in color [1.23 MB] or downlod in black/white [855 KB]
Sites Related to Farmers Markets
California Federation of
Certified Farmers Markets
Cascade Harvest Coalition
Farmers Market Coalition
Farmers
Markets Today magazine
Maine Federation of Farmers Markets
Puget Sound Fresh
- King County Agriculture Commission
Seattle Tilth CSA Directory
USDA National Farmers
Market Directory
Vendor's Scales at Farmers Markets
Wallace Center Recruiters Guides and Farmers Guide
Washington State Department of
Agriculture
Washington State Farmers Market Manual [pdf 2.7 MB]
Washington State Grange
Western Washington Horticultural Association
WSDA Small
Farm & Direct Marketing Program
Other Interesting Websites
Cascade Loop Scenic Highway
Val Barschaw Bookkeeping Services
