Perhaps you should try your hand at creating one in PowerPoint!
A few markets have already done this, and their maps are really cute. So if you have PowerPoint, you should check it out!
Create a blank presentation. Get rid of any of the boxes — you won’t have a title or a subtitle.
Insert shapes. I recommended the cloud one, in green, for trees/shrubs and the rectangle makes a pretty great stall!
Here’s one example:
When you are setting up a market, at some point, you will enter your stall sizes. Most markets have at least one stall size, and some have several. Usually it’s 10×10, 5×8, umbrella, something along those lines.
Be careful with this, and try not to have 10×20, 10×30, 10×40 because the vendor gets to select the number of stalls they want. It can be tricky if someone is requesting four 10x40s because unless they want to take up half of your market, they likely only want four stalls.
Once you set this up, you’ll send us a map. Haven’t sent a map yet? Email info@managemymarket.com and we’ll set you up.
When our mapmaker makes your layout interactive, they assume that all your stalls will be the default size. This is because we know that all maps are not to scale, and you will have to go back into your stall assignment section and edit the stalls.
For more on how to do that, go to managemymarket.com/training.
Did you fill out the USDA survey?
Is your information correct?
Click here to check and update before the directory goes to print, so to speak.
A step-by-step guide. Up now, available for your enjoyment. Click over to managemymarket, and take a look at all the trainings!
Maybe only in California does something like this happen.
LAX just got a little bit brighter.
We’ve been busy here at managemymarket, and we bet you know how that feels!
Our new features are the bee’s knees:
Setting up a Market — also found in our training resources @ managemymarket.com/training
…or FFA, even, but people in their 20s and 30s are starting to get serious about farming!
Image via Wikipedia
The USDA is expanding their Value-Added Program to assist more small farms. Read more about it, and pass this along to the small and medium-sized farms you know.
Beer and wine sampling is now allowed at farmers markets in Washington!
Do your state allow alcohol sampling? Does your market? How would things change if you did?
Great story about a vendor at a farmers market. Here’s the best line:
“when I got laid-off, some of my friends came over and said, ‘Hey stupid, why don’t you go to the farmers market?’” Francis says.
When the going gets tough, the tough set up at a farmers market!
Even tougher folks manage them.
On Wednesday, the Oregon Legislature took a major step toward establishing clear rules with the passage of a House bill governing direct farm sales to the public, either through buying clubs, community supported agriculture programs or farmers markets.
Read more.
Sounds like a good thing — maybe more states will follow?
Starting a Farmers market is a great idea. Farmers Markets are good for communities, local food producers, and consumers.
But after the initial idea, questions arise. Where should the market go? What kind of structure should the market have (both physical and business)? What kind
Image by cgulyas2002 via Flickr
s of vendors do we want to attract?
If you haven’t yet been to the Farmers Market Coalition’s website, you should start there. There’s a huge resource section and it covers everything: bylaws, tent regulations, a suggested vendor mix, and more.
It’s available as a .pdf, so that you can download it and have it as a reference, even when you’re not online. Check it out here.
Have you seen this?
Great article written by a former state secretary of agriculture.
Via Darlene Wolnik, marketumbrella:
via Reddit:
Even if you’re not in Maryland, this is a really great list of things to consider.
And, if the answer is “Internet Explorer,” why?
