Market Farming

["jay gee" <jgj23 AT mindspring.com>]

Congrats Joan!

Sounds like an exciting new challenge.

You asked:
> One - we will have to set up a structure for our group, non-profit corp. or
> something.  What kind of structure do other markets use and do they work for
> you?  Is there a format you would care to share?

To achieve the maximum safety for the members, the ideal structure
would either be a non-profit corporate co-op, or perhaps a limited
partnership between the non-profit market corporation as general partner
and individual farmers who buy in annually as limited partners (each year
is a new partnership) that allows you to pass through cooperative expenses
and keep some assets (minimal) in the corporation for the coming year.
The corporation would also hold the lease for the premises you move the 
market to.

Consult a good attorney in KC who is knowledgeable in corporate
and limited partnership structures.  MO is a UCC state last time I checked.
 
> Two - we will have to provide liability insurance wherever we end up, most
> likely, and we've heard everything from $100 to thousands annually for this
> protection.  Where have you found insurance and what are you paying for it?

What you are looking for is "premises liability coverage" which would
take the form of "renter's insurance."  Although you are not renting an
apartment or office, the concept is the same.  What you pay will be
a function of how many claims have been paid in the past and what
the condition is of the property you ultimately rent -- plus of course,
how much total coverage you are seeking.

Consult a number of independent insurance agents when you are
shopping for a policy to get a wide choice of policies and premiums.
You may also want farmers covered with umbrella coverage on top
of their own liability policies on market days.  This could be added
into the base policy as an extra cost option.

Give them a walking video tour of the current market so that
they have a feel for what you are doing.  Give them a walking
video tour of the site(s) you are considering.  You may find that
insurance premiums vary by location so get the insurance agent
in early on.

Make sure you read and review the policy form BEFORE the
insurance contract is awarded.  Forms can often be changed
in advance of policy issuance, but never after the fact.

PS:  Glad to hear you did a market study and found it helpful.


Jay Gee
not a farmer -- but interested in farming