Four County Farmers Market

Four County Farmers Market

Summary

Local farmers worked together to develop operating rules and regulations for the Four County Farmer’s Market. The Four County Farmer’s Market opened in May following the preparation of the historic building in Eupora for the permanent location of the market. Despite weather conditions that adversely affected the produce crops the Four County Farmer’s Market had a successful first year. A meeting to make plans for the coming year has been held and outreach/marketing plans were discussed.

Objectives/Performance Targets

To benefit local farmers by increasing disposable income and encouraging entrepreneurship.
To generate economic impact in the community from dollars spent and retention of these inputs within the region.
To assist producers to implement sustainable agricultural practices.
To provide an economical supply of wholesome foods for consumption.
To assist homemakers to prepare nutritious and healthful food products for their families.
To develop a sense of community relationship among citizens, private enterprise, and government for the common good by applying strategies that creates and support sustainable agricultural and community life.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The Four County Farmers Market producers met and the booth spaces were established in the large central space of the building purchased for the permanent location of the market. A Farmers Market manager was hired and the date for the opening of the market was determined. The manager started work in May and made contact with various producers to invite them to participate in the market. A local graphic designer worked with the Executive Director for the Webster County Development Council to get banner signs done for the Farmers Market. Design work was also done for the permanent sign that will be erected once the painting of the exterior of the building is completed.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This project has provided a part-time job to one individual in the county and it has also provided an avenue for individuals to increase their income through participation in the Farmers Market. The project has enabled Webster County residents to increase their income and better provide for their families.

As a result of the Four County Farmers Market and the location of the market within the building purchased there were approximately 25 jobs created. The jobs averaged paying $7.00/hour and the work weeks averaged out to be 40 hours per week from planting season through harvest which would have been approximately 24 weeks. Some weeks the hours were extremely long and others were very slow. This amounted to an income of $6720.00 per person with a total for the 25 of $168,000.

In addition to the boost to the economy resulting from the 25 jobs created there was equipment purchased by the farmers to aid them in the planting and harvesting of their crops. The total cost of equipment purchased by the farmers was $71,000.

The Four County Farmers Market Producers Association was formed to establish the rules and regulations by which the farmers market would operate. A fee schedule was also established by this group for participants in the farmers market.

As a result of this project 28 farmers were provided with a permanent location where they can set-up and sell their produce regardless of whether it is raining or not. The estimated total income of the farmers participating in the market averaged between $50 and $200/ day. The market was open three days a week for 20 weeks. This averages out to $3,000 to $12,000 of income per farmer. Those farmers on the low end of the earnings were generally selling the excess out of their home gardens. For a couple of farmers produce was sold at the farmers market and also on days the market wasn’t open. Their income far exceeded what they made at the market. It is anticipated that the number of farmers participating in the market this year will increase as a result of the impact the farmers market had this first year.

The market manager noted that during the peak season there were as many as 300 customers to visit the market in a day. Over the season they averaged from 50 to 100 customers visiting the market. The ability to purchase fresh homegrown vegetables in a convenient location was well received by the people in and around Webster County.

One significant outcome of this project has been the recognition of agriculture as a valuable part of economic development in Webster County. Other areas such as agri-tourism are being undertaken in the county with the development of a Corn Maze by two of the producers in the county. After talking with one of the producers who have put in the Corn Maze I was told that in the couple of weeks that it has been open they have already had approximately 350 people to go through the maze. The farmers market is also providing an outlet for the sale of such things as bundles of corn stalks, hay bales and potted plants for decoration purposes. This is considered to be added value to the agricultural product because the corn stalks would have been cut up and plowed under.