Earning Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badges

Garden Gate

19. Be the Farmer in Your Market

Beginner

• If you have a local farmers' market, attend, and start making friends! Become a regular. Ask vendors about their business and how they got started. If your area doesn't have a farmers' market, find out why.
• Brainstorm what you'd like to sell. Put numbers to your idea and a timeline.

Intermediate

• Envision labels and signs for your booth and products.
• If a farmers' market exists in your area, apply for a space. Sometimes a market board will jury potential products and conduct a formal interview. Ace the interview!
• Join and sell your product(s) at your local farmers' market.
• If there isn't a farmers' market in your area, research how to start one. Most farmers' markets were started by one enterprising go-getter.

Expert

• Research winter markets and start attending if one exists in your area. Research how to start a winter market if one doesn't exist.
• Join nationwide farmers' market communities online to further your knowledge and involvement.

April, 2026 Edition