Arkansas’ farmers markets play a crucial role in supporting the agricultural economy while improving access to fresh produce in rural communities.
The Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, works year-round with many growers, producers and farmers market operators to support their success.
For Arkansans living in communities that lack a nearby grocery, farmers markets can mean the difference between having fresh produce or not.
Ron Rainey, economics professor for the Division of Agriculture, provides guidance on establishing and managing markets and helps individual vendors find marketing strategies to promote their products. He oversees Market Maker, a free online resource where farmers can promote their operations and consumers can find markets near them. Consumers can also find farmers markets through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Arkansas Grown program at arkansasgrown.org/.
PHOTO: Farmer at market hands purchase to customer over colorful blend of organic produce (iStock – Donte Tatum)
