About
The Nebraska Farmers Market Manager Handbook brings together ideas, inspiration, and insight from farmers markets across Nebraska. It is the culmination of research, hands-on experience, and interviews with market managers, vendors, and professionals.
There are a variety of market manager manuals and handbooks published at a state and local level across the nation. They are valuable resources no matter what state a manager resides in. With the ease of online searching, these manuals can benefit managers at all skill levels. For this Nebraska handbook, the project team combined broad best practices with ideas and encouragement from real Nebraska farmers market managers. We modelled this handbook after the Iowa Valley RC&D Iowa Farmers Market Toolkit.
This handbook was created by Nebraska Extension, Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska, and the Center for Rural Affairs and was modeled after the Iowa Farmers Market Manager Toolkit. Special thanks to all those that provided input into the development of this toolkit and all the work you do for Farmers Markets in Nebraska.
USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant #AM190100XXXXG086 supported this work. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this Toolkit is for educational purposes to assist farmers market management in improving their market operations. This material is not intended, and should not be used, as a substitute or replacement for individual legal, financial, or actuarial advice. Each market organization should consult a relevant professional advisor when making business decisions as appropriate.
Complete Handbook
The Nebraska Farmers Market Manager Handbook brings together ideas, inspiration, and insight from farmers markets across Nebraska. It is the culmination of research, hands-on experience, and interviews with market managers, vendors, and professionals. There are a variety of market manager manuals and handbooks published at a state and local level across the nation. They are valuable resources no matter what state a manager resides in. With the ease of online searching, these manuals can benefit managers at all skill levels. For this Nebraska handbook, the project team combined broad best practices with ideas and encouragement from real Nebraska farmers market managers. This handbook is modeled after the Iowa Valley RC&D Iowa Farmers Market Toolkit.
Chapters
Chapter 1
What is a Farmers Market?
Today, farmers markets often include prepared food, arts and crafts, cut flowers, baked goods, and handcrafted items. In addition, they act as an important gathering place for the community.
Chapter 4
Preparing for Market Season
Insurance, rule enforcement, conflict resolution, WIC, SNAP, DUFB, market satisfaction, special events– this section of the toolkit will cover these topics and much more.
Read Chapter 4
Chapter 2
What Does It Mean to Be a Farmers Market Manager?
The market manager sets the tone and represents the market both internally to vendors and externally to shoppers and market stakeholders.
Chapter 5
Improving & Measuring Market Performance
Raising funds, securing sponsorships, marketing and data collection are ways to encourage the long-term success of your farmers market.
Chapter 3
Planning Your Farmers Market
Whether you’re launching a new market or stepping into manage an existing one, there are certain plans to be made to keep your market running smoothly.
