Our state recently started a new farmers market on
Wednesday mornings on the sidewalk in front of the state capitol. We don’t normally go to farmers’ markets, but we got a special invitation to come one Wednesday in June because the governor was scheduled to visit and there were no other flower growers.
Our 13-year-old daughter, Laurel, took charge. She picked flowers and made bouquets, including an extra-special one to present to the governor. She and Dan went to Topeka and set up our red market umbrella and buckets full of bouquets, sunflowers and lilies.
Governor Kathleen Sebelius came, as expected, at 9 a.m. She visited with each of the vendors and when she got to our flower stand, Laurel gave her the bouquet and Dan talked to her about state programs supporting local food and farming. It was an opportunity to advance our sustainable agriculture agenda a bit—especially because Sebelius is often mentioned as a rising star in the Democratic party, someone who will certainly play a role on the national stage. It was great to see her take an interest in small farms, local foods and direct marketing.
We didn’t make much money at the market, but we weren’t surprised. We know how hard it is to get a new market started. Over the years we have talked to many growers and market managers who have started markets and they always stress the high level of commitment that is required. Farmers must come week after week, whether they make much money or not. That can be discouraging as well as unprofitable, but many growers make the sacrifice because they know that’s the only way to get the ball rolling. It takes a long time for people to get in the habit of coming to a market. But it builds on itself, and after a few months, the numbers of customers increases, which brings in more vendors, which brings in more customers, and so on.
At the same time, it’s imperative that customers who believe in farmers markets get out there and spend money. Too often we see customers come to look and meet with friends and exclaim how great it is to have a farmers market in their neighborhood. But they don’t buy much. Market managers need to stress this point in their marketing campaigns: If you think the market is cool, spend money! Like a seedling that needs to be watered, a market needs to be patronized—or both will shrivel and die.
We don’t plan to become regulars at the new farmers market because we are already operating at our maximum with our current flower customers. But it was good to be able to lend a bit of support to a new market. We hope it thrives!