Maine Farmers' Markets

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Comment by Christine Alexander on October 24, 2009 at 2:32pm

I'm currently Market Manager at a couple of farmer's markets (Milbridge and Southwest Harbor). We are looking for a second produce vendor to compliment what is currently being offered.

Comment by Joe on October 7, 2009 at 8:00pm

Hello Karen,
Could you tell us more about your market and what you types of vendors you need?

Comment by Tom Roberts on October 7, 2009 at 6:13pm

Hi Karen,
I have several suggestions you might consider. Send your market's info and types of new members wanted to melissa@mofga.org and she will post them at the mofga website at http://www.mofga.org/Resources/MarketingOpportunitiesForMaineFarmers/tabid/917/default.aspx . You could also write to the Community Events section of your local free weekly newspaper stating pretty much the same thing. Let your County Cooperative Extension Agents (in your county and adjoining counties) know of your market's needs. These agents speak to a lot of people on ag matters. Go to the member directories at the websites of nearby farmers' markets and send an invitational email to those members who are selling things you would be interested in having in Windham. Most market websites in Maine are listed at http://mffm.org. If the market doesn't have a website, visit the market and pick up a brochure with the members listed. Send written notices to all of the churches in your area asking for it to be posted or read to the congregation.
A couple of other things to think about: don't you be the decider of how far away someone might want to travel to join your market (unless your market has some restriction on membership, say within 35 miles of Windham). Potential members alone will make that decision based on their own circumstances. In all these communications, be realistic about how big the customer base is that uses the market. State the age of the market (e.g., "Since 2005") and whether it is a growing or fairly static market. Mention how many members the market now has, the length of the market season and the days and hours of operation.
If you want to discuss this more, we can either do it here or via email at tom@snakeroot.net.

Comment by Karen Harter on October 7, 2009 at 1:20pm

Our farmers' market in Windham is seeking more vendors. We are a young market and serve the Sebago Lakes area. We've done well but are needing more variety and overlap. Is there a good/easy way to get the word out?

Comment by Meadow Ridge Perennial Farm on September 21, 2009 at 10:57am

New to this website and this group. Active in two local markets and always looking for new ideas. Thanks.

Comment by Tom Roberts on June 22, 2009 at 12:22pm

Hi Carolyn
I think I might have replied to your previous comment at the bottom, instead of your most recent one. Send me an email and I'll send you a concept paper for promoting farmers' markets you may be able to earn and income from.
tom@snakeroot.net

Comment by Tom Roberts on June 22, 2009 at 12:13pm

Hi Carolyn,
The concept of a minimum wage is from the industrial culture. Agriculture predates that by at least 100 centuries, and the two are hardly compatible. If any farmer were to calculate their hourly rate of pay, it would be for the purposes of humor only. The same can be said for parenting. Farmers want to "make a living", meaning that at the end of their season they want to have a surplus they can live on until the next season.
Some non-profit-based farms are partly grant supported, and even a few family farms have a tiny grant income now and then for research they are doing, and some have off-farm employment (often during winters) until their farming enterprise can make ends meet. But for the most part independent family farms are earning much or all their own way via sales of farm products.
Is this an answer to your question, or did I miss your meaning?
What do you mean by "I have so much to give"? What have you tried that didn't work out?

Comment by Carolyn Spector-Gillis on June 22, 2009 at 8:26am

Does Maine Farmers' Mkt need some free promotional work?

Comment by Emily Perkins on June 18, 2009 at 2:06pm

Hi everyone,
I just found this website and it's wonderful, I'm excited to connect with other people involved with farmers' markets. I am the market manager for the Wayne Farmers' Market, opening for its first season on Sunday, July 5th, 2009. So excited! http://waynefarmersmarket.weebly.com

Comment by Tom Roberts on May 23, 2009 at 7:34pm

Hi Tony,

Your raise a good and commonly asked question. There is so much to say on the subject that I am going to start a discussion forum (above) on it so all of the info will (hopefully) be in once place instead of spread out all over this discussion wall.

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