Vegetable farms that sell their produce through farmers markets, CSA programs, on-farm stores, and other direct-market channels are the foundation of local food movements everywhere. Yet there is surprisingly little information available to help answer a basic question: Can farmers make a middle-class income selling vegetables through direct-market outlets? We launched an ongoing study in 2017 to help fill this critical gap in information and offer insights that could help vegetable farmers start and grow their businesses. Our new report, Financial Benchmarks for Direct-Market Vegetable Farms, offers the most comprehensive review of direct-market vegetable farm businesses to date, sharing detailed financial benchmarks from 39 farms collected over three years.

During this webinar, we review our findings and answer your questions. We also share three strategies farms can use to boost financial success and explain how direct-market vegetable farmers can participate in this vital ongoing project.

Recorded October 5, 2021

Complete this form to watch the recording:

The post Can Direct-Market Vegetable Farmers Make a Middle-Class Income? appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

We studied 39 farms over three years to find out. Our study is the most comprehensive review of direct-market vegetable farm finances to date.

Vegetable farms that sell their produce through farmers markets, CSA programs, on-farm stores, and other direct-market channels are the foundation of local food movements everywhere. Yet there is surprisingly little information available to help answer a basic question: Can farmers make a middle-class income selling vegetables through direct-market outlets?

We launched an ongoing study in 2017 to help fill this critical gap in information and offer insights that could help vegetable farmers start and grow their businesses. Our report offers the most comprehensive review of direct-market vegetable farm businesses to date, sharing detailed financial benchmarks from 39 farms collected over three years.

Complete the form below to download our Financial Benchmarks for Direct-Market Vegetable Farms: 2021 Report. You can also read a summary of our findings here on our blog.

Complete this form to download the report

The post Financial Benchmarks for Direct-Market Vegetable Farms: 2021 Report appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

Get the inside scoop from the team at Local Line, an e-commerce platform designed with farmers in mind, and hear from two farmers about they’ve been able to use their online ordering system to make their picking and packing process more efficient.

Speakers

Jordan van Everdingen, Local Line

Emma de Long, Kneehigh Farm

Liz Krug, Fullers Overlook

The post Pick Lists & Packing Hacks: Simplifying Online Order Fulfilment appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

They discuss the pros and cons of different tools, share some lessons learned, and swap a few tips and tricks.

This session is most relevant for farmers who already use an e-commerce platform, but those who have just started to explore selling online will find some helpful advice.

Speakers

Kristin Illick, Liberty Gardens

Robert Todd, Down to Earth Harvest

Ben Wenk, Three Springs Fruit Farm

The post E-Commerce Roundtable: What Works & What Doesn’t appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

During this forum for cities, municipalities, and market managers, you’ll learn how others have opened and navigated the logistics of safely opening farmers markets within their own locales.

Hosts:

• Kali Boehle-Silva, Market Manager at Farmers on the Square
• Megan C. McBride, Easton Market District Director
• Christina Howell, Executive Director, Bloomfield Development Corporation

Slides:

Download a copy of the webinar slides here.

Resources:

• Bloomfield market modified market operation plan
• Bloomfield Saturday market map
• Spatial guidelines for Bloomfield Market (ARUP)
• Market volunteer procedures
• Market volunteer orientation
• Market volunteer positions & script

The post COVID-19 Forum: Safe Farmers Markets for Cities appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

The post COVID-19 Checklist for Farmers Markets appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

You can access the webinar slides, which include links to more information, here.

The post COVID-19 Guidelines for Farmers & Markets appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.