Resources for Markets

We are working diligently to update our Find Your Farmers Market page with your schedule and operational changes. Please ensure your market’s listing on this page is up-to-date. If you see outdated information, please use this form to alert us. We are updating the page daily.

Market Manager Webinars

Data-Driven Promotion: Using Analysis to Guide Your Market’s Outreach | Hosted: April 17, 2020 2-3PM 

*A Recording of this webinar will be available soon. You can view the Power Point presentation here: Data-Driven Promotion: Using Analysis to Guide Your Market’s Outreach

Kayla Tucker, Marketing and Communications Director with the ARCD explores easy-to-implement strategies for gathering data about your vendors, customers, and potential customers and using it to guide your marketing and outreach to grow your market. 

Online Farmers Market Platforms: Comparing & Contrasting the Top Platforms | Hosted: April 20, 2020 2-3PM  

*A recording of this webinar will be available soon. You can view the Power Point presentation here: Online Farmers Market Platforms: Comparing & Contrasting the Top Platforms

Rachel Wheeler, Farm Fresh Appalachia Project Director, and Kayla Tucker will lead this discussion about online farmers market platforms including some of the best options for both large and small markets, as well as free resources where markets and vendors alike can list their information. Shelley Crowe, Executive Director of Jonesborough Locally Grown, and Michelle Pridgen, Market Manager for the Independence Farmers Market in Virginia, will also discuss their experiences with launching online farmers market sales and will answer questions.

Market Regulations, Incentive Programs, and Lightning Presentations | Hosted: April 21, 2020 2-3PM  
*A recording of this webinar will be available soon. You can view the Power Point presentation here: Market Regulations, Incentive Programs, and Lightening Presentations 

In this webinar we will ask you to each send in a best practice or two that your market follows in the chat. We will discuss the submissions and go over a few suggestions. Next, we’ll discuss the use of incentive programs to boost market attendance while supporting healthy lifestyles. We will learn about the programs that have been successful in our region, and how to implement them at your market. Lastly, we will open the floor to markets for lightning presentations; use this time to share your best practices, get feedback on an issue you’re having, or share information about a resource.

Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets – Regional Calls

In response to COVID 19, the Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets is now hosting regional calls, helping build a stronger market to market network. Calls are hosted by board members in each of the three main regions of Tennessee; East, Middle, and West. The first series of calls took place in April, 2020. Regional Board of Directors members are currently scheduling the next series of conference calls. If you would like to be included on the mailing list, and receive up to date programming and call information, please email info@tnfarmersmarkets.org
More information about the Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets can be found here: https://tnfarmersmarkets.org/
April Call Minutes:

Local Resources

 

Local Food Guide | Appalachian Grown / Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

The Appalachian Grown Local Food Guide is a resource for farmers and markets within a 100 mile radius of Asheville, NC. It is operated by ASAP, and listing your farm or market is completely free. The guide is updated frequently, and allows consumers to search for food near them and buy directly from farmers. ASAP also partners with Nourish Knoxville to provide their platform to farms within a 100 mile radius of Knoxville. Between these two organizations, all of Northeast Tennessee farmers and markets are eligible to list their businesses.

Local Food Guide (ASD)Appalachian Sustainable Development

This local food guide covers Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, and is updated annually.

A.H.E.A.D. Appalachian Highlands Economic Aid Directory 

This site was created to give small businesses (including farmers and markets!) and the community a place to connect and learn how we can support one another during this time of uncertainty. They have compiled a list of small businesses that can use your support. If you would like your business to be listed in this directory, please complete the form (link at website). Let them know if you’re open, offering special dining options (to-go, curbside, delivery, etc), physically closed but offering online options, or any other news you feel would be important to communicate to our community.

Handling COVID-19 Best Practices for Agribusiness (UTK)

COVID-19 is spread primarily via close person-to-person contact, or when virus-containing droplets expelled during coughing or talking contaminate a surface that is later touched by a healthy individual. While most feed and supply stores continue to operate during disease outbreaks and other emergencies, preventive steps can be taken to protect the health of employees and customers.

Handling COVID-19 Best Practices for Produce Farms & Packinghouses (UTK)

While there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is a food safety concern, it is a worker health concern as it spreads via close person-to-person contact or by contact with contaminated surfaces. Food does not appear to be a likely cause of COVID-19 transmission, but many of the same practices used to prevent foodborne illness on foods should still be used to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 contamination on fresh produce and the risk of COVID-19 spread among farm and packinghouse workers.

Changes to the Domestic Kitchen Laws Regulating Tennessee’s Cottage Food Industry (UTK)

Reminders for new Cottage Food businesses regarding safety & production laws from UT Extension. Download the PDF.

Please reach out to Rachel Wheeler at rachel@arcd.org if you have questions about starting a new cottage food business in Tennessee.

Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets

Virginia Farmers Markets Association

Additional Resources

Farmers Market Success During COVID-19 an online training series

Virginia Farmers Market Association

VAFMA is hosting two online training classes that will detail how 9 different markets are navigating this obstacle course.

COVID-19 FAQ For Farmers Markets

North Carolina Extension

Download NC Extension’s FAQ PDF here. *Note that this PDF was last updated on March 16th before the CDC updated it’s recommendation that everyone should wear cloth masks to prevent virus spread. *

Farmers Markets Respond to COVID-19 — Best Practices, Examples, and Resources

Farmers Market Coalition

Follow the Farmers Market Coalition’s response to COVID-19 and their recommendations here.

Farmers Markets Respond to COVID-19 — Best Practices, Examples, and Resources

Farmers Market Coalition

Follow the Farmers Market Coalition’s response to COVID-19 and their recommendations here.

National Young Farmers Sales Platform Comparison

March 2020

This PDF from the National Young Farmers Coalition lists and compares a number of online sales platforms that are focused on the agriculture industry.

CAN COVID-19 Resources | Central Appalachian Network

CAN’s goal is to be a resource hub for the Central Appalachian region during the COVID-19 crisis. CAN presents a list of resources collected from their regional partners. Updated frequently

Access the resource list here.

UT Vegetable: COVID-19 Resources  | UT Extension

Updated Regularly

Publications and resources for fruit and vegetable growers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RFA Roundup: Spring Funding Opportunities  | National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Updated Regularly

Running list of current grant opportunities for farmers and ag industry professionals. 

Articles

What’s in the CARES Act for Food and Agriculture | Farm Bureau

March 26, 2020

“Today’s article reviews the food and agriculture-related provisions of the CARES act. For the agriculture-related provisions, the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture received $9.5 billion, approximately 19% of the total food and agriculture provisions, to provide financial support to farmers and ranchers impacted by coronavirus. The funding is allocated specifically for specialty crops, producers who supply local food systems and farmers’ markets, restaurants and schools, livestock producers, i.e., cattlemen and women, and dairy farmers.” Read more.

A Closer Look at Farmer Aid in Senate Pandemic Package | National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

March 26, 2020

As farmers and communities all across the country continue to deal with the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Congress has been working around the clock to pass another round of emergency aid – this time targeted at small businesses and those who have lost income as a result of the crisis (including farmers), as well as boosting our medical capacity to respond.” Read more.

Farmers and food groups innovate to keep operations viable as coronavirus spreads | The Fern

March 19, 2020

“For Jody Osmund, who runs Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm with his partner, Beth, in Ottawa, Illinois, the shuttering of public spaces to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus presents a significant challenge. He typically distributes his farm shares at brewery taprooms around the Chicago area, which allows him to share a pint with customers while supporting local businesses. So how should he proceed when many bars and restaurants are closed, and heath guidelines demand that people keep their distance? Enter the pool noodle.” Read more.

COVID-19 Readiness Assessment for Continuity of Farm Business | PASA Sustainable Agriculture

This is an open-source checklist created by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, in collaboration with Penn State Extension, for developing a continuity of business plan during the coronavirus pandemic.” Read more.