Author: April Wilhoit
Planning Unit: Fleming County CES
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Plan of Work: Adapting to Changing Agricultural Markets
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
The Fleming County Farmer's Market has been a integral part of the community for 19 years. Over the past 4 years I have worked closely with the Market to provide education as well as guidance. With the work and collaboration between the Extension Office and the Farmers Market we have assisted in providing a diverse avenue for products and goods that have been grown or produced locally. Each year the Extension Office provides a series of educational classes to the Farmers Market vendors which they must attend to part of the Market. In 2021 we hosted the educational sessions via Zoom to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines but also to provide the needed information and trainings to the vendors to be able to sell their products. For 2022 we will be hosting the educational series via Zoom as well as in-person watch parties at participating local offices in our Buffalo Trace County Area. The Market consistently has 19-22 vendors sign-up each year, even with some retiring and new ones adding on. The group offers Senior & WIC Farmers Market Vouchers and Double Dollars, which is part of their educational training, so that the folks of Fleming County have the opportunity to have access to fresh produce locally.
For the 2021 Market Season we saw a more diverse member base as well as a more diverse selection of products and produce. Cut Flowers and homemade greeting cards are just a couple of the new items that made their debut. The market has also seen an increase of sales from 2020 to 2021 from $23,000 to $29,000.
In November 2021, the Fleming County Farmers Market was awarded the Fleming County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Leader of the Year.
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The Fleming County Agriculture Advisory Council determined the need for a program on business planni... Read More
Since 2018, the Buffalo Trace Counties have hosted a Apple Tree Grafting/Pruning Workshop annually f... Read More