Starting Your Farmers Market

We’re thrilled you’re interested in starting a new farmers market! Establishing a successful market will require finding the right location, acquiring the necessary permissions, finding solid vendors, and advertising in your community. Here are some resources to help you get started.

Some Questions to Get You Started:

  • What other markets already exist near me? Are they seasonal or year round? What days do they operate? 

  • Where will your market be located? Is it public or private land? Will it be accessible to shoppers and vendors?

  • Is there a demand for your market? Who is your potential shopper? Where do they live? What sorts of products are they looking to purchase?

  • Who are your potential vendors? What mix of vendors are you interested in hosting? 

  • What model would best serve your community of potential shoppers and vendors? Will you be a nonprofit?

  • Do you have a team of people ready to dedicate time to organizing, fundraising, volunteering at, and promoting your farmers market? 

Some Resources to Get You Started

Join us!

OFMA exists to help your market thrive! We welcome you to join the OFMA community. New markets will find community, promotion, guidance, and resources in an OFMA membership. Anyone can subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, which includes upcoming and past OFMA workshops and resources, and make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

You also don’t have to go at this project alone! Connect with other market managers to find community and solicit wisdom from seasoned pros. You can subscribe to national the Farmers Market Coalition listserv, and to the Oregon farmers market listserv, which includes any individual statewide who is interested in farmers markets.