TriangleJohn, I understand the message you posted. I think Joe may have been asking for input for classes for the young or otherwise entrepreneur. They may already get it. But, just for the sake of commenting on the market person who is already farming: session, conjures up visions in my head of planning meetings which by the way are usually scheduled during our busiest times: planting and harvesting. Some of us market farmers would rather have root canal work done rather than sit still for these meetings. Whenever there is a meeting with 35-40 farmers, there's probably going to be 35-40 differing views. Often the person in charge of the meeting works for the city. The percentage of their job delegated to markets if I had to guess, is one percent. They are generally busy, overworked people who may or may not have a concept what it is exactly the market grower does. Then, we need to add to this mix the resellers. Many markets have them. These would be the folks yelling the loudest that the city doesn't do enough advertising for the market, etc. So, you can see why many of us would rather look forward to a trip to the dentist rather than attend planning meetings. Most of us understand that the broader guidelines don't work for us; but, if we can take just a small piece of it, and, apply it to what we do, than it can and does work for us. You stated that economic fluctuations can completely alter a community where something that sold well a few years ago just doesn't work anymore. This may apply to the housing market and sale of certain goods; but, I just haven't seen it at the farmers market. Incidentally, my observation is quite the opposite. I think farmers markets do better in less fortunate economic times. We are always anticipating market trends. Sometimes we get it right; and, sometimes not. And, anticipating market trends, and, making adjustments would set a vendor apart. But, what exactly are the "special circumstances" to which you were referring?

My farmers market is allowing things that are not farm related and it burns me. There is one woman selling shirts that she takes out of plastic bags, looks the same as WalMart would sell, along with ceramic nail files. Both items are not home-made in any sense of the word. Unfortunately nobody will kick her out because she does grow some produce during the peak of the season. Really bad thing is that her husband was the only person to volunteer to be our "vendor rep". I tried to sell at a smaller farmers market without all the rules, costs and such. The sales wasn't enough to keep me there. I can make 3x as much after paying for all the costs at the market with the rules and hassle. I will continue at the 'hassle' market because I intend to make money.

Way back in the early 1940's when I was young the only produce we got that wasn't grown at home or from neighboring farms was an orange or tangerine in our Christmas stocking. I don't even know what was available then because we seldom went to town to shop. We lived off the land. Now, as you all know, grapes, watermelon, strawberries, citrus, tomatoes etc. are for sale all year around in the super market. Shipped in from all over the world and it's amazing to me how people will pay the high price for the stuff. Although "homegrown" is becoming to mean not much more than grown somewhere in the USA the biggest and best super market in my area does make a big effort to buy local produce, and even set up special displays in the stores with the names and pictures of the growers. Some of the growers will grow enough to supply several stores other small growers may bring their produce in to just one or two stores. They have asked me to grow herb plants and vegetables for them. Like most of you I am also a vendor at a farmers market. One of the biggest, oldest, busiest markets anywhere. There are 300 to 350 vendors and up to 35,000 customers on a Saturday. Many years ago it was started as a farmers market and farmers still get preference for stalls but now there is far more shipped in produce than locally grown. Many vendors are just hucksters. The market is open year round and many farmers have gotten into selling shipped in produce. I've been a vendor at that market for 29 years. Many customers have come to know who really sells locally grown produce and who doesn't. But most people don't seem to care. There are many real farmers markets. Almost every little town around here now has one in season. And they are good but very small. Great for hobby growers,and for those who have the trucks and people to set up at more than one market. I remember reading that there has been a 79% increase in the number of farmers markets in the last couple years. I hope it's more than a fad, and I hope more people will come to appreciate good fresh locally grown produce. I also have hope that people will get back to growing some of their own food. I was asked this spring to advise on the setup of a new farmers market for a small town and I said I was glad to help but I also suggested they look into getting some sort of community garden going where people can use a plot of land to actually grow something themselves. I'm very encouraged at the number of younger people interested in doing something like this. There are a number of books on this subject of imported food. My favorite is Eat Here, by Brian Halweil. Here is a link that might be useful: Eat Here

Congratulations on your first week! Add me to the list of people who marveled at the setting. Ours is under an overpass right off the interstate- they kick the bums out for the morning, and it smells like pee :-D. The offerings sound delicious. There are always people at a farmer's market who don't bother to check whether the food is local, but stands like yours usually develop a following- people who will buy whatever you have that week because they trust the quality. I look forward to hearing about how the next one goes!