Tent Talk

Marketing is just one of a market manager's or vendor's full time jobs. So a cooperative effort that benefits multiple markets is invaluable. Add in centralized sales of gift certificates redeemable region-wide and everyone will be harvesting a bumper crop of additional income. Maine Federation of Farmers Markets director Jimmy DeBiasi joined us last year to explain selling employers on using market dollars as part of their workplace wellness programs. He dug even deeper into the how-to at last month's InTents Farmers Market Conference. This week in our Marketing Methods series listen as we chat with Jimmy about:

• The power of cooperative marketing
• The impressive total of sales generated
• How tough is tracking and billing? (Not as hard as you'd think.)
• The key selling points for big buyers

Once folks experience your farmers market or market business you know they'll be hooked. How you get them there the first time, and how you remind them to come back until they form a habit, that's the marketing magic. We're kicking off this month's Marketing Methods series with a look at which social media platforms will most effectively get the word out about your market. Where you're posting, what you're posting, and what kind of content performs best is important. Which platforms you trust and want to support is also worth considering these days. Listen in as we discuss:

• What types of content the algorithms reward
• When newer platforms are worth exploring
• Whether going viral should be the goal
• Why cooperation is the new competition

In the last of this month's series sharing farmers market stories, we catch up with Sina War about all the latest ways she's supporting our community. A multipotentialite, she's worn a lot of hats in our industry. She's been a hands-on farmers market manager and developed a food product made from peppers she grew herself. At the Minnesota Farmers Market Association she's shared recipes on local TV and advocated for local food systems at the state legislature. Sina has the heart of an educator, and nurturing new farmers comes naturally. Join us as we hear what Sina's up to next, and discuss:

• Why multiple roles are natural in the farmers market world
• All the ways to speak up for farmers markets
• The little seedling that Sina's focused on right now
• When Grow Your Green will start helping new farmers thrive

For our annual Live from InTents episode, Tent Talk producer Leandra Hays sat down earlier this month with almost 30 attendees of the hundreds at the national Farmers Market Conference in San Diego. They shared what keeps them going and what rewards them in the face of farmers market challenges. Tune in to hear all about it.

Lisa Herlinger is a trained chef turned entrepreneur who launched her gourmet ice cream sandwich company at the Portland Farmers Market back in 2004. More than two decades later, it's a thriving business with wholesale grocery and convenience store distribution, spreading joy and dominating frozen novelty aisles nationwide. Tune in to hear about Ruby Jewel's growth as we share:

• Lisa's commitment to locally sourced ingredients
• Finding the balance between quality and price
• The value of sampling at markets
• Financial considerations of scaling to wholesale

Michael Clark is a third generation family farmer who grew up working at farmers markets and on the farm. Over the years JR (for Joe Rodriguez) Organics, his family's business, has expanded to include more than a dozen weekly farmers markets, a robust CSA program and wholesale customers. Mike manages sales and production and still works at several markets a week himself. Listen in as he explains:

• Why the farm has a CSA program
• How a CSA can work hand-in-hand with farmers markets
• Benefits of and obstacles to organic certification
• The charms and challenges of working with family

Wrapping up our Recruit and Retain series, we come back to what makes it all come together: shoppers. Remember, we heard from Corinna Smith earlier this month that increasing market attendance is great, but what's critical is how many of those attendees are buying something at the market. Are they filling those shopping bags and baskets? Then retaining farmers and vendors is a slam dunk. That income will allow you to retain staff. It's a whole ecosystem right there.

In the final installment of this series, let's talk about some Farmers Market pro tips, including:

• Followers are fine, engagement is epic
• More attendees is good, more buyers is key
• Email lists may be more secure than social platforms
• Co-op marketing with local businesses is golden

It's not QUITE too late to register for this year's InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, in San Diego March 10th -12th and live online. Link in bio or click Register Now at FarmersMarketPros.com You need this.

Every farmers market manager knows that curating a well-balanced market is both an art and a science. Whether you're running a seasoned market or developing a brand new event, recruiting and vetting vendors that fit the needs of your individual community is key. Keeping things balanced so that everyone profits is essential. Maintaining long-term, mutually respectful relationships with each of your vendors creates that consistent set of offerings that will build a loyal customer base.

Listen in as we go deeper and consider:

• Identifying a mission and holding fast to your values

• Walking the line between scouting and stalking

• Considering trends while prioritizing balance

• Matchmaking the perfect vendor and market fit

• Teaching vendors to help you help them

Use the link in our bio to register today for the 9th annual InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, coming March 10-12, 2025 in San Diego. Nothing beats the power of market people coming together.

By any reasonable definition, it's not a farmers market without farmers. Uniquely positioned to foster relationships between consumers and the people that grow their food, farmers markets help farmers thrive financially and feel encouraged and supported by their communities. Let farmers know about the advantages of selling direct, make them feel valued and help them develop sales skills and they'll stay with your market for years to come.

Listen in as the Farmers Market Pros catch up with Corinna Smith of the Columbia Farmers Market in Missouri, where new farmers are blooming and some producers have been selling for over 30 years. Discover tips including:

• How to find new farmers for your market
• Ways to demonstrate the benefits of direct to consumer sales
• Making farmers proud to partner with your market
• Working with other farmers markets to create a local market culture

There's still time to register for the 9th annual InTents the National Farmers Market Conference in San Diego, California 2025. Link in bio or register at farmersmarketpros.com

The team that helps you sell vegetables or granola at your farmers market booth makes all the difference in your income. The staff that sets up and manages the market makes the job productive and satisfying or just a whole lot of work. Learning to recruit the right people will make your market business more successful and just more fun. Creating systems to keep the band together are just as important. Employees with more knowledge and experience are more comfortable on the job and that trickles down. On this episode the Farmers Market Pros chat with Natalie Labejof Farm Habit about hiring and managing staff for multiple markets. Listen in as we discuss topics including: • Detailed job postings save everyone's time • Your team is a key part of the interview process • Vibes just might be as important as skills • Budgeting for training pays off big time Register today for the 9th annual InTents, the National Farmers Market Conference, coming March 10-12, 2025 in San Diego. Nothing beats the power of market people coming together.