Capacity building for successful farmers markets

There are a number of publications and other materials out there to support the successful development, maintenance, and improvement of farmers markets. A number of the resources are listed in the right sidebar under "Food-Agriculture-Markets."

The State of Ohio is piloting a two-day conference for

farmers' market managers, vendors and community development stakeholders interested in starting or expanding farmers' markets in their communities. Topics being covered include food safety, funding opportunities for markets and direct marketing.The conference is to begin at 8:30 a.m. March 4 and run through 4 p.m. March 5.

Check out the schedule of sessions on the Ohio Farmers' Market Conference website.

I wish there were a similar "tri-state" (DC-MD-VA) conference around here. (Although it's also reasonable for PA and WV to participate as well, since farmers from those states also participate in some of the farmers markets in our region.)

The interesting thing about farmers markets in the DC area is that many have pretty small patronage. And, considering that the "middle man" is taken out of the equation, I sometimes have a hard time figuring out why the food costs a lot more, rather than less. In large part this is because vendors are pricing goods higher, because the DC region has a higher average household income compared to other metropolitan areas in the greater region.

Piano playing entertainment at the Central Market public market in York, Pennsylvania.