Strengthening Farmers' Markets Through Advanced Business Training and Mentoring

• 2005 annual report
• 2006 annual report
• 2007 annual report
• 2008 annual report

Farmers markets are key organizations for expanding local market opportunity for farmers, yet all too often weakness in their business structure undermines their ability to fulfill their economic and community promise. This project will support efforts by Cooperative Extension, NRCS and State Departments of Agriculture and staff from NOFA, Main Street programs, Chambers of Commerce and other economic development organizations to strengthen the business fundamentals of this unique, group-based agricultural enterprise. Training content will focus on the business of farmers markets: board, staff and member roles and responsibilities; member retention and recruitment; equity assessment and fund raising; operational audits; advanced market and business planning; community alliances and the role of a state farmers market associations in strengthening local markets. Where feasible resource providers will partner with a farmers market board and/ or staff person to participate in the program together as a team. The program will mentor teams during their implementation of plans to strengthen local farmers markets and at least one state organization. Trainings will be conducted in each of the six New England States. A multi-state Advisory Committee will be developed to help plan, publicize and conduct the trainings; a list serv forum providing post training support will be created. Resource providers will develop competency in providing farmers market business assistance as well as in the delivery of model educational programs. Curriculum and materials will be organized into a Farmers Market Business Training Manual and added to the CDI’s “Group-Based Business Sustaining Agriculture in the Northeast” web page at http://www.cooplife.coop/sustag.html

Milestones Performance Target Of the 42 agricultural educators participating in the New England Farmers Market Advanced Business Training Program, 12 Cooperative Extension, NRCS and other rural, community and economic development resource providers will provide technical business assistance that results in the quantifiable strengthening of a farmers market or a state farmers market association. Milestone 1: 300 Cooperative Extension and other rural, community and economic development resource providers and 400 farmers markets in New England receive information about the Advanced Business Development training program. Milestone 2: 42 resource providers attend a least one of the farmers market business training course held around the region. Milestone 3: 15 resource providers use mentoring assistance to develop and deliver business training programs for farmers markets and associations in their state. Of the 42 agricultural educators participating in the New England Farmers Market Advanced Business Training Program, 12 Cooperative Extension, NRCS and other rural, community and economic development resource providers will provide technical business assistance that results in the quantifiable strengthening of a farmers market or a state farmers market association.