By Stephen Smoot
While the Pendleton County Farmers Market recorded a successful year last year, Annie Humes expects that upgrades will bring an even larger impact for 2024.
“Last year went really good,” she said, referring to the consignment model that the market offered. The farmers market welcomed goods from smaller producers and hobbyists for sale. The only drawback lay in the lack of a modern record keeping system to keep track of consignment sales.
“It worked. We liked it. Everyone enjoyed it,” Humes explained. She then shared that the farmers market received a Farmers Market Association grant for point of service hardware that would save hours of work matching sales with producers.
“The two great things” involve expediting all record keeping which “gives us the ability to engage volunteers.”
The farmers market also released a flier to inform potential vendors of the ease of selling there. Humes has explained in the past that she wishes to use the market to develop local producers’ business models. Vendors can “come when you can,” pay no annual or booth fees, and receive help “navigating the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Resources product rules and regs.”
Humes said “I would love to see more people sharing what comes out of their gardens.” She went on to say that one of the market’s missions lies in “growing community.” Vendors can try different ideas out, whether they are experienced producers or hobbyists.
Those who consign can “drop products off and sell all summer” and can get a “low commission rate and discounts for volunteering.” Volunteers have also come from youth organizations, such as 4-H and the Future Farmers of America.
“Last year we ended up with just under 50 volunteer hours, which was awesome.” The market is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday mornings between June and September, which makes 50 volunteer hours a solid participation number.
Many customers can not only buy healthy and locally produced food from the market, but may also get more for their money. With the “Stretch Your SNAP” program, each dollar spent on SNAP at the market will enable the spender to receive a dollar of “SNAP stretch.” When seniors or children shop, they may get an additional dollar per dollar spent.
Throughout the summer the Pendleton County Farmers Market will have special events involving craftmaking, live music, and other fun and family friendly good times – some planned especially for children. New to this year will be the “Biggest Zucchini Competition,” which will be held in the time of the season when that vegetable is ready for harvest.
The farmers market’s basic mission lies in promoting agricultural entrepreneurship through building a community of vendors and sellers all supporting each other.
Those who wish to join the vendors or learn more may email farmpendleton@gmail.com, or explore the website at www.farmpendleton.org.
