Christiansburg, VA may be getting a farmer’s market. Granted, they a bit behind the ball as other jurisdictions in the area have had these going for years, but it seems that local citizens would rather shop closer to home than having to travel. Add to that the fact that depending upon location, it could act as a stimulant for local businesses, and you can see why the idea is being entertained.
I think it can be a good idea or it can be a total flop based upon how it is developed. It is in laying the foundation that you determine the future of something. You can have the most beautiful home in the area but if it is built on a poor foundation, using low quality materials, what have you really got? In such a scenario you ultimately end up with headaches, heart aches, and a desperate wish that you had invested in the company producing Preparation H. (was that politically correct enough for everyone?)
So, as the Town is evaluating this, here are a few of the things that I hope are taken into consideration:
24VAC30-551-10 (Virginia Administrative Code)
- “Farmer’s market” means a year-round or seasonal open air or permanent facility, marketing itself as a “farmer’s market,” where multiple farmers come to sell their products to the consumer.
This is rather general in nature and in order to see how quickly this can become very complex, one need only look at how other areas have established such markets.
The City of Alexandria has their Farmers’ Market Rules and Regulations online. There is a bullet section under the first paragraph that outline what the Policies and regulations adopted by the City Council were designed to address and I am quoting them here:
- Establish a Rules Committee with representation by the vendors;
- Establish a “resale” vendor class for produce as a way of stimulating the dwindling supply of produce on the Market;
- Include handicrafts as an eligible Market product;
- Assign space priority to vendors who have been continuous stall renters for the longest period of time;
- Prohibit the sale of certain foods for health reasons and involve the review of the Health Department of questionable food items; and
- Define the term “Farm and Domestic Products,” as it is used in the Virginia Statute that establishes Farmers’ Markets;
- Clarify the definitions of various types of vendors and products at the Market;
- Establish a procedure for selecting vendor applications who are on the waiting list;
- Establish vendor attendance standards; and
- Establish various rules regarding the payment of rent and the prohibition of “subletting” of Market spaces.
At paragraph 3 there is a list of how they limit what is allowed into the farmer’s market in general terms. While produce and food are not limited, there are specific limits to the number of vendors allowed selling handcrafts, jewelry, framed art, and wearable art.
Obviously, they are working with a far larger area than Christiansburg has in mind at this time. The same types of rules of structure still apply regardless of size.
Similar types of information can be found in the Market Rules of Salem Farmer’s Market website and in a two page handout from Virginia Municipal League Community Farmers’ Market.
Perhaps the most excellent source of information on the beginning stages of a Farmers Market can be found at http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/cache/ARL04402.htm. The article, entitled “Foundations for a Successful Farmers market” provides a good guideline for getting started. In particular, 6 building blocks to a successful foundation are addressed:
- Forming a governing board.
- Articulating a mission.
- Developing goals.
- Determining bylaws.
- Establishing market rules.
- Defining the role of the market manager.
In essence, guidance is offered in helping to determine:
- What it is that you want to do.
- How do you want to do it.
- How do you make sure that you do not get diverted or ‘off track’
In the discussion of the Governing Board, it is clearly noted that the board should be comprised of people representing all of the major groups that are likely to be affected by such a venue. The article provides examples of those as “vendors, consumers, city government, and local businesses”.
The Mission statement (and goals) is addressed by giving 3 areas that should be addressed:
- What will the market do (activities)?
- For whom (participants and beneficiaries)?
- Tow what end (objectives and benefits)?
The Goals section refers to the specifics of how to achieve the the Mission and provides timeframes and criteria for measuring the effectiveness of the program.
Once all of those are done, then you can look at setting up the Market’s Bylaws and Rules. Trying to do these without having a clear definition and understanding of the goals is a major waste of time, resulting in a lot of bouncing back and forth and making changes in on or the other. In my experience, this has been a fatal flaw in may plans by different organizations.
The role of the Market Manager is the last item discussed, as well it should be. Defining this role is contingent upon having completed the other steps or else you will just be confusing the issue.
Building a solid foundation provides the best opportunity for success. The “Foundations for a Successful Farmers Market” provides a solid framework for this. I highly recommend it anyone/group considering initiating a Farmers’ market.
**Note Attachments are included for Rules and Regulations & Bylaws as examples.
For me, it comes down specific answers to these questions which MUST be addressed at the onset:
- What is it that you want to do?
- Why do you want to do it?
- How will you do it?
- How will you know if you are doing it?
- Who will the suppliers be?
- Who will the buyers be?
Quotes from Will Rogers:
- “If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple: Know what you are doing, love what you are doing, and believe in what you are doing.”
- “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there
