Farmers’ Market Season Begins

By: Garry Stephenson

The picture on the cover is a reminder that spring is here and our local farmers' markets begin operating soon. These markets are an excellent source for locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese and other processed products, flowers, bedding plants, and more. The customers that shop a farmers' markets support farmers that are their neighbors and also support their local economy by keeping the dollars they spend local.

Farmers' markets in Oregon and across the United States are experiencing exceptional popularity with consumers and growth in numbers. For instance, 76 markets operated in Oregon during 2006. This is an increase of over 50 markets since 1996. Nationally, farmers' markets have been growing at a similar pace numbering over 4,385 as of 2006, an increase of about 2,000 markets since 1996.

Small farmers are using farmers' markets and other direct marketing channels to create a new entrepreneurial agriculture that operates independently of traditional wholesale commodity market channels and provides a gateway into farming for those with limited resources. Farmers' markets are a crucial marketing channel for small farmers and they play a key role in local food economies and the social life of communities.

This phenomenal growth also brings challenges. Farmers' markets in Oregon generally are operated  independently in individual communities and are funded almost entirely by farmers' fees. This situation makes many markets resource poor. With the increase in number of farmers' markets has come a shortage of farmers that operate in a manner to sell at farmers' markets-particularly at smaller markets in rural areas. Lastly, not all markets are successful and many close. The Oregon Farmers' Market Association (OFMA) and Oregon State University are working through organizational efforts, education, research, and public policy advocacy to enhance the success of farmers' markets in Oregon. To find out more about farmers' markets in Oregon or one close to you, go to the Oregon Farmers' Market Association website here.

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