Selling at a Farmers’ Market can be a new and different experience, even for the experienced farmer. There are many benefits to selling direct to consumers such as the rapid feedback on new crops and the elimination of the middle man to increase profits. Some resources that will help you get started preparing for the market, as well as provide new ideas to the seasoned marketer are:

Michigan Farmers' Market Farmer and Vendor Frequently Asked Questions

Farmers’ Market Coalition
Diane Eggert, Secretary
Farmers Market Federation of New York
2100 Park Street
Syracuse, NY 13208
info@farmersmarketcoalition.org
www.farmersmarketcoalition.org

ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service -
Direct Marketing Business Management Series

ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service -
Farmers’ Markets Marketing and Business Guide

Michigan State University Extension has expertise in various disciplines related to starting and operating a farmers’ market. If an agent in your counties office is not able to help you, they can connect you to an agent in another office or on campus.

The Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo is held every December in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Seminars on farmers’ markets are part of the educational program.

The New Farmers’ Market by Vance Corum, Marcie Rosenzweig and Eric Gibson. New World Publishing. California. 2001. $24.95

Growing for Market Newsletter
Fairplain Publications
P.O. Box 365
Auburn, KS 66402
Subscription is $30/yr.

Three publications are available from Project Fresh and Michigan State University that provide fresh produce information for shoppers: “How to know what’s in season” (159kb .pdf), “Get Fresh Cookbook” (1.11mb .pdf) and “How Much Should I Buy?” (3.02mb .pdf). These publications can be ordered in bulk. The “How to know what’s in season” flyer is also available as a display board for the market. For information on how to obtain these materials, contact the webmaster at marketmaster@anr.msu.edu