PURPOSE

  • Heighten awareness and visibility of farmers market via social media and online outlets.
  • Create and distribute resources for member markets and their respective vendors and community members from WVFMA website (for example, templates for bylaws, market rules, vendor applications, marketing and promotional materials, and ‘how-to’ toolkits).
  • Provide a cooperative approach to issues of concern to all markets (liability insurance, policy development, etc.).
  • Cooperative purchasing or exchange opportunities. Education activities for market farmers and market managers. (Market Manager Training, etc.)
  • Educational activities for customers and community members about farmers markets and products. Annual meeting and voting rights depending on member category.

MISSION

Our mission is to strengthen the capacity of West Virginia farmers markets and positively impact the communities they serve by providing education, advocacy, and access to healthy, locally grown food.

VISION

We envision a community where West Virginia farmers markets provide healthy, local food, economic opportunities for producers and serve as a vibrant gathering place for all residents.

CORE VALUES

  • Providing meaningful services and value for our member markets and their vendors
  • Building the capacity of WV Farmers Markets through education, networking and collaboration
  • Promoting diverse partnerships, collaboration and communication
  • Providing growth opportunities and economic benefit for local food and farm related business
  • Improving food security and health outcome
  • Being a vibrant part of the community

FOUNDERS

  • Tom McConnell, WVU Extension (retired)
  • WV Department of Agriculture
  • Cheryl Brown, WVU Davis College Division of Resource Economics & Management (retired)
  • Susan Sauter, Flying Ewe Farm, Bruceton Mills
  • Del Yoder, Owl Creek Farm, Morgantown

PREVIOUS TRAINING

2020

  • Farmers Market Manager Producer Resources Training
  • Identifying Farmers Markets as Information Hubs

2019

  • Policy and Regulatory Information Events with WV Department of Agriculture

2018

  • Market Manager Training for Mini Market Hub Projects
  • Regional Foodshed Gatherings with WV Food & Farm Coalition

2017

  • Market Manager Training

2016

  • Market Manager Training Booklet
  • New Vendor Launch Boot Camp: New Vendor Launch Toolkit

2015

  • WV Small Farm Conference: Farmers Market Trainings and Workshops

2012

  • WV Small Farm Conference: Farmers Market Track

2011

  • Farmers Market track at Tri-State Farm & Food Conference