Farmers Market Operation

All Farmers Market Operation Content

A husband and wife displaying fresh produce at a farmer's market stand.

Local Foods

Local Foods can help strengthen a community by stimulating the local economy and creating local entrepreneurial opportunities.

Baskets of fresh vegetables at a farmers market

Register Now for 2022 South Dakota Local Foods Conference

November 08, 2022

The annual South Dakota Local Foods Conference will take place Nov. 17-19, 2022, at the Sturgis Community Center in Sturgis.

Variety of fresh vegetables in blue plastic totes on a table at a farmers market.

Food Safety for Farmers Markets

Food safety bulletins for farmers markets and other direct marketing vendors

baskets on a table with fresh produce at a farmer's market

Farmers Market Resource Manual

This manual is intended to be used by farmers market directors, managers, and organizers to copy portions of the manual that pertain to the needs of their farmers market.

Wireless Point of Sale Device dispensing a sales receipt at a farmers market.

SNAP EBT Devices for the Farmers Market or Direct Market Farmer

Interested in offering SNAP EBT as a form of payment at your direct market farm or farmers market? Get started today with this resource that explores how to apply and how to select a payment device that fits your market's needs.

Logo: Mountain Plains Cruch Off - Biting Into Local

South Dakota Joins 2021 Mountain Plains Crunch Off

September 08, 2021

South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Department of Education’s Division of Child and Adult Nutrition Services are partnering to bring this event to the state Oct. 4-8.

A man in a pickup truck picking up a bag of farmers market food at a pickup table being serviced by two women in personal protective gear.

Farmers Markets and COVID-19

Farmers markets are a very important sector in South Dakota. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a great deal of concern on trying to keep these markets open, while providing a safe environment for consumers to shop. This article is a guide to help farmers markets set up their operation in a manner that will best protect consumers and allow for continuation of operations.

A young, male merchant speaking to a group of customers at his farmers market stall.

Five Steps for Founding a New Farmers Market

This information was developed to provide a resource of options for new or developing markets as they begin organizing their farmers market.

Two female vendors serving a young girl and boy at a vendor stall at a farmers market.

Decisions for Farmers Market Setup and Operation

Farmers markets are unique because they represent multiple, individual vendors under a single name, location and organizational identity. Before the first selling day, a farmers market will need to do many of the things that each vendor does for their farm. For example, selecting a name and creating a logo for the market.

Hands wearing plastic gloves cutting watermelon samples on a white cutting board.

Guidelines for Serving Samples at the Farmers Market

One way to increase sales at the farmers market is to offer samples. Vendors need to plan ahead to make sure they are in compliance with sampling regulations.