Market Farming

["jay gee" <JayGee AT jghelp.com>]

Old Timin' wrote:

> I am looking at starting a new market. The problem locally at our markets is
> some vendors selling at such low prices it makes it hard to sell a quality
> product and get what it's worth. Does any one have any suggestions on how to
> keep the prices up at a level that will make it profitable for more vendors.
> I plan to start it next year and am looking for advice on rules that any one
> has out there. One rule we are going to use is it will be a producer only
> market.Thank you in advance.


Old,

If you are seriously interested in starting a Farmers Market
where you have some influence over the prices charged
by other farmers, do not approach it as a cooperative
market.

Take on the roll of the event promoter/producer and invite
only those producers you have spoken to who are willing
to play ball.  You can't fix or attempt to control prices.
You can charge participants an advance fee which allows
you to advertise your market.  If they have money invested
in advance, they are less likely to slice their own throats, or
yours.

If you control who does and does not get to play, you hold
disciplinary sway over those who violate the rules.

I have read the comments of those who recommend educating
your fellow farmers, but there is little compensation in it.

Create and promote a private farmers market that provides
what customers want (not what farmers want) and soon you
will have farmers willing to mortgage their spouses in order
to get in.

Who knows, you might find market promotion and management
more profitable and rewarding than farming.

Just a thought...


jay gee
not a farmer  --  but interested in farming



Free marketing aids for farmers at:
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