POULTRY PROCESSING mobile units
This equipment may be rented for on-farm use only by producers in compliance with state and federal laws. Consult your state regulatory office overseeing poultry before contacting us about dates for rental equipment availability. Learn more about renting the poultry processing unit.
rules and regulations
The WVFMA is not a regulatory entity. We are a membership-based organization that was created by WV farmers markets and exists to assist and strengthen farmers markets. In this capacity, we seek to work with regulatory entities, such as DHHR and the WVDA, to clarify the information that farmers markets and their vendors need in order to be in compliance with existing rules and regulations. Our Policy Committee also advocates for policy change when necessary.
The information on this page represents the most up-to-date information we have identified to help markets and their vendors understand rules and regulations. When in doubt, always contact the agency responsible for regulating the topic of interest, as they have the authority and last say regarding compliance.
The Farmers Market Vendor Guide is the most comprehensive document available regarding rules and regulations affecting farmers markets. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has developed this guide. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has also developed several materials including a PowerPoint presentation to help farmers and farmers markets navigate the legislation.
If you have questions about produce inspections, please contact Jeremy Grant with the WVDA at jgrant@wvda.us.
insurance
In collaboration with the Blue Ridge Risk Partners, farmers market vendors can obtain insurance for protection against claims of bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal and advertising injury liability and the litigation costs to defend against such claims. Blue Ridge Risk Partners is offering a number of policies ranging in price from $50 to $350 dollars to cater to the individual need of each vendor. They also offer general liability policies that would cover entire farmers markets. If you have questions, please contact Blue Ridge Risk Partners on the web at https://www.blueridgeriskpartners.com.
finding funding
Funding Calendars and Listings
- The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service has a calendar for funding opportunities for agricultural-related grants. These range from specialty crop grants, to advertising and marketing grants for small business owners, to funding for training programs.
- Grants.gov is a system that provides a centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities. You can browse by federal grant category and key words.
- Philanthropy News Digest organizes RFPs by category, due date, and sometimes location. They publish weekly email newsletters in order to notify subscribers when new funding opportunities arise. PND is a very useful resource for finding national grants.
- The Center for Non-Profit Excellence publishes three new funding opportunities a month to a large list of grants and funding opportunities.
- The Rural Assistance Center keeps an up-to-date list for targeted funding opportunities for our state.
- Try This WV has a guide to funding your community project authored by a local WV funder.
Newsletters
- West Virginia Farmers Market Association e-newsletter subscribers receive not only information about funding, but various other useful information.
- WV-USDA “Publications, Tool, Learning and Funding” newsletter. Contact Lisa.Sharp@wv.usda.gov and ask her to add you to the list. Lisa Sharp works with USDA Rural Development in Morgantown, and this is an incredibly useful newsletter to subscribe to.
- The Farmers Market Coalition e-newsletter shares, and sometimes directly offers farmers market funding opportunities.
LINKS
Farmers Market Research
- Farmers’ Markets Rules, Regulations and Opportunities by Neil D. Hamilton, National AgLaw Center Publications, June 2002
- Understanding the Link Between Farmers’ Market Size and Management Organization, Sept 2008
- When Things Don’t Work: Some Insights into Why Farmers’ Markets Close, July 2008
West Virginia Links
- West Virginia Economic Development
- West Virginia Economic Development Authority
- West Virginia Herb Association
- West Virginia Conservation Agency
- West Virginia Shepherds Federation
- West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
- West Virginia University Extension
Regional Organizations
National Links
- American Pastured Poultry Producers Association
- Eat Wild
- Farmers Market Coalition
- Growing for Market Magazine
- Local Harvest
- New Farm Magazine – Organic Farmers Association
- North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association (NARBA)
Government Programs/Agencies — State
- Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education in West Virginia
- West Virginia Department of Agriculture
- WV Grown by West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Government Programs/Agencies — National
- Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)
- United States Department of Agriculture
- USDA Agricultural Research Service
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Farmers’ Market Promotion Grants