The Mercer County Horticulture program has offered a new exciting program aimed at the back yard gardener who may have grown a little too much produce. “So you want to join the farmers market” was a series of classes for those who are on the fence about selling their extra produce at the local farmers market.  The idea for this series of classes was thought up by an engaged community member who also happens to be a Master Gardener that partnered with the Mercer County Horticulture Agent to plan these programs.

The series is broken up into three different classes. The first class is set as a round table discussion, where growers who had 1 year, 6 years, and 20 years of farmer’s market experience share their stories. The participants were giving examples of how they can grow enough produce in raised beds to be able to sell at a market. University of Kentucky’s Center for Crop Diversification (CCD) joined the class covering when to plant your planting, a way gardeners can extend their produce through the whole growing season.

The second class covers marketing with the CCD providing examples of a farmers market table display. Other topics covered in this class were using social media, labeling, using plate it up KY Proud recipes, and people skills. The final class of the series is rules and regulations. This class covers the requirements for the Mercer County Market and for others in the state. Participants learn about the Produce Best Practice Program, WIC and Senior Vouchers Program, obtaining a sampling certificate and Kentucky state regulations.

Everyone in the class went home with a farmer’s market starter kit full of publications on growing produce and other farmer’s market resources.  The hopes is this program will not only encourage the back yard gardener to join a farmers market but also encourage that they too can grow excess produce for their families in their own backyard. Out of the 15 people who attended the initial class, 6 of those have gone on to participate in the farmers market as new vendors for the 2019 season.