Farmers Market Perfect for Micro-Entrepreneurs
go.ncsu.edu/readext?395710
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲The number of farmers’ markets in the United States surged in the past five years, but growth is slowing as every municipality from large cities to very small towns have established a market.
In 2014, there were 8,261 farmers’ markets in the country. In Richmond County, a market has operated twice a week for the past two years. In a county that has several wonderful produce stands open seven days a week and many people with their own gardens, that is an accomplishment.
The Rockingham Farmers’ Market is run by the Richmond County Farmers Market Association and has been in existence for many years. The rules of the organization encourage farmers and gardeners to be the producers of most of the product sold, providing the buyers the “face” of their food production, which is an idea that has gained popularity.
Local artisans and food entrepreneurs also are required to make the things that are sold, to prevent resale of purchased goods. These rules add a lot of authenticity to a farmers’ market, and are one reason they are so popular. Last year the Association changed their rules to allow vendors to attend the market from any county in North or South Carolina that is adjacent to Richmond County.
Farmers’ markets have gone through some changes in recent years, and the Rockingham Farmers’ Market has kept up with the same trends. Farmers’ markets use more technology today, and are promoted in social media and websites. The Rockingham Farmers’ Market is on Facebook and Instagram, so check it out!
Increasingly, farmers’ markets have been a place to build community, to meet your neighbor and to promote a social cause or idea. It is no longer the only way to purchase local produce, as many restaurants and grocery stores strive to “buy local,” but it is a great way to support local business and micro-entrepreneurs. Most of the farmers’ market food was picked the same day as the market or the day before, so it is uber fresh.
It is possible to grow produce, flowers and plants for a market in a small space and there is very little risk involved for the micro-entrepreneur or market gardener. The Rockingham Farmers’ Market charged only $25 per year last year to Richmond County residents. There is no requirement to come each week, as in some large markets. Someone who is creative could make enough baked goods, crafts or jewelry to sell at the market and make a good profit.
There are many advantages of selling at the market, including the ability to try out products and get immediate feedback from customers. Relationships with customers can be developed for future sales and products. The market vendors reap the full retail price of the items being sold (minus the annual fee and taxes). The lack of a weekly booth fee (as at a flea market) allows a small entrepreneur to bring smaller amounts of product to the market.
The Richmond County Cooperative Extension office will assist any micro-entrepreneurs who are interested in selling at the farmers’ market by giving them gardening information, business planning resources and other information like certifying home kitchens, preserving food and marketing their products.
In 2021, the first market will be on Saturday, May 1, from 8 a.m. – noon at the downtown Rockingham fountain. The market will continue to convene at that time every Saturday through early fall at least. A second market meets at 125 Caroline St. on Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. For more information about the farmers’ market, please call Nancy Power at 910-997-8255.
Susan A. Kelly is Richmond County extension director for the N.C. Cooperative Extension.