Farmers Market Coalition

After traversing a long, circuitous route, including an override of the Presidential veto, the Farm Bill has finally passed, just ahead of the holiday weekend. FMC was among 1,054 organizations signing a letter in support of this override. See below for a brief outline of the portions of the bill most directly impacting farmers markets.

Farmers Market Promotion Program – $33 million over 5 years for organized farmers markets, non-profits, units of government, others

• Provides one-year, competitively awarded grants of up to $75,000 to promote farmers’ markets through such projects as market development, Food Stamp implementation with the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards, promotion of market(s), start-up funds, etc.
• Sets aside10% of annual funding for EBT implementation projects.
• Annual funding: FY08: $3M; FY09 & FY10: $5M; FY11 & FY12: $10M.

Financing for Local Food Enterprises for businesses, producers, non-profits

• Provides a prioritized pathway for entities involved in local food distribution and marketing to secure private-secure loans backed by a USDA loan guarantee (up to 90% guarantee rate) through the Rural Business and Industries Loan and Loan Guarantee program.
• Includes a set-aside valued at 5% of program funds (approx. $50 million annually in loan guarantees at the current funding level).
• The applicant must be in a USDA designated “rural” area. Includes a definition of “locally produced food.”

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program – $20.6 million annually or low-income seniors to redeem at markets, roadside stands, and CSAs

• Expands funding by $5.6 million annually, which may allow currently unfunded states and tribes to participate, or increase benefits to existing participating entities.
• Continues to provide vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income seniors purchased directly from participating farmers at farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture subscriptions, worth $10-$100 annually per recipient (amount varies by state/tribe).
• It has benefited over 825,000 low-income seniors and 14,575 farmers annually.

Rural Micro-enterprise Assistance Program – New – $15 million over 4 years

• Will assist rural entrepreneurs in establishing new small businesses in rural sectors with micro-financing loan of up to $50,000.

• Annual funding levels: FY09-FY11: $4M; FY12 $3M. Additional discretionary authority of up to $40M annually.

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The mission of the Portland Farmers Market is to support our region’s farms by connecting local food producers directly to consumers, strengthening urban-rural community bonds, and educating the general public on the benefits of eating locally produced food.

Job Description

Title: Executive Director

Status: Regular, full time, exempt position

Starting Salary: $60,000–$ 65,000 annually plus benefits

Background and Scope of Responsibility

The Portland Farmers Market (PFM) began in 1992 as a community effort by a handful of dedicated volunteers. Today, it is one of the premier farmers markets in the country, with four urban markets generating annual sales in excess of $5 million. PFM is a 501 C-6 organization, with four full-time, two part-time (seasonal) staff, and several hourly crew people working at the markets. Our annual budget is $450,000.

PFM is operating in an ever-changing environment in which there is increasing awareness of environmental issues, sustainability, the urgency of protecting our small farms, and the health benefits of eating healthy local food. All of these concerns affect our business.

We are looking for a dynamic, experienced leader to help shape and take us through our next period of growth. We seek someone with the following skills and characteristics:

• The passion and ability to ensure the highest quality farmers markets and service to our vendors and customers.

• Experience in leading a successful, efficient, and effective organization with a collaborative and proactive work style.

• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with diverse constituents—staff, board, vendors, sponsors, community groups and local, regional and state government to accomplish our mission

• Demonstrated ability in business systems, finance and budgeting

• Ability to broaden the influence of the region’s small farms and the Portland Farmers Market in local, regional, state and national arenas

• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the regional food system and how a farmers market fits into that system

• A minimum of 2-3 years successful leadership experience, preferably in a food/agriculture related organization, in either the non-profit or private sector

• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and make decisions in planning and implementing program, organizational and financial plans with the staff, vendors and the Board of Directors.

• Strong written and oral communication skills with staff, board and as the public face of the market.

• Nonprofit experience preferred (either as a board member or employee).

The Executive Director’s job scope is broad, demanding, and seasonally intense. During high season, we must execute four weekly markets as flawlessly as possible while managing the complex administrative business in the office, and maintaining a public presence with our sponsors, vendors and the larger community. For more information and a copy of the full job description, please go to: www.portlandfarmersmarket.org

To Apply: Please submit a detailed letter showing your passion for the mission of Portland Farmers Market and why this position is a good fit for your skills, experience, aptitude and style of leadership, as well as names of three references and a resume to: pfmsearch@comcast.net with “Executive Director Application” in the subject line by Monday June 23rd at 5:00. Or by mail to: Portland Farmers Market 1001 SE Water St, Suite 455, Portland, OR 97214. Attn Search Committee, Portland Farmers Market.

Timeline: As stated above the application deadline is Monday, June 23^rd. Interviews for selected candidates will be conducted in July and early August. We hope to have the new Executive Director in place by mid-September.

Portland Farmers Market is an equal opportunity employer.

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Asparagus! Stalking the American Life award-winning documentary film now released on DVD This award-winning independent documentary film tells the story of Oceana County, Michigan, whose spear-struck residents built their identity and economic survival on asparagus, but now find themselves taking on the U.S. War on Drugs, Free Trade, and the Fast Food Nation, all to save their beloved “roots”. View the trailer at www.asparagusthemovie.com. Markets interested in hosting a screening of the film are invited to e-mail spargel@verizon.net.

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POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Wallace Research Intern – Arlington, VA

 Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International will be recruiting applicants for an internship with the Wallace Center.  The responsibilities, duties and qualifications are described in the attached position description.  

 GENERAL:

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. Winrock matches innovative approaches in agriculture, natural resources management, clean energy, and leadership development with the unique needs of its partners.  By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.

 The Wallace Center at Winrock International has been a key organization in fostering a more sustainable food and agricultural system in the U.S. since 1983. During this time it has employed research, policy analysis and education in order to drive change that benefits farmers, urban and rural communities, our natural resources and the health of our citizens. Today, the Center continues to provide leadership to further the development of sustainable and equitable agriculture and food systems through national and regional program design and implementation, policy analysis, research and technical assistance. Current focus is on developing market-based solutions that link a larger number people and communities to healthy and sustainably produced food that supports a viable farm community, development of capacity among non-profits to facilitate enterprise development, building capacity for community-based food systems and expanding marketing channels to link urban and rural communities. In support of this work, the Center hosts national conferences and convenes regional working groups and networks.

 SALARY:

Winrock is able to offer a stipend to cover living expenses.

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants should send current resume and cover letter (maximum of 2 pages total) referencing HRM/Wallace-Intern by May 2, 2008 to:  jobs@winrock.org

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:             Intern

Location:                        Arlington, VA

UNIT:                                     Wallace Center

REPORTS TO:                    Director, Wallace Center

BACKGROUND:

 The Wallace Center currently leads a collaborative effort of nearly 20 farmers market leaders and practitioners from around the country. This geographically and organizationally diverse group is actively engaged in the development of resources that benefit direct-marketing farmers and farmers market managers. In 2007 this consensus effort produced a pair of handbooks that use plain language and abundant photography to help farmers and market managers succeed and an ongoing series of regional farmers market conferences for market managers and direct-marketing farmers. 

 The Wallace Center will continue its collaborative development of resources with a Risk Mitigation Tool-Kit for direct-marketing farmers that will include information on liability insurance, food safety, marketing and crop insurance.    The Wallace Center is also researching case studies on successful direct-marketing entrepreneurs who have used farmers markets to scale up their agricultural enterprises. 

 POSITION SUMMARY:

The intern would assist with research and collecting of materials for the Risk Mitigation Tool-Kit and the case study series.  This would include constructing a document library of currently available materials developed by farmers’ markets at a local, state and regional level across the country for review and evaluation.  This will involve contacting and networking with state organizations, regional market networks and local market managers.  In addition to building the document library, the intern will assist with the research for the case study interviews and writing.  Finally the intern would assist with some data entry for a 2007 farmers market survey that was conducted by the Wallace Center as part of the first year of the project.  

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

• Fast and accurate research skills.  Research will include Internet, phone calls, in-person interviews and possibly library and on-line database sources.
• Excellent writing skills, including ability to distill large amounts of information into concise memos.
• Organization skills, including ability to catalogue and store large numbers of files accurately. 
• Interest in farmers’ markets, sustainable agriculture/environment issues, and/or community development demonstrated by undergraduate or graduate study.
• Must not require sponsorship to work in the U.S.

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Cottage Grove (April 2, 2008) – The Oregon Farmers Markets Association’s (OFMA) Board of Directors met for a two day retreat in late March to re-establish its Board of Directors and plan the future of the 20 year old organization.

The new 12 member Board of Directors includes market managers, farmers, community advocates and government officials from across the State: Laura Barton, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Development and Marketing Division; Gina Bell, Adelante Mujeres/Forest Grove Farmers Market; Val Blaha, Mossback Farm; Chris Coles, Market Consultant; Mary Ellen DeLuca, Manager, Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market; Melissa Matthewson, faculty for OSU Extension Service Small Farms Program; Eamon Molloy, manager, Hillsdale Farmers Market; Alan Rousseau, Pine Mountain Ranch, and manager, Friends-N-Farmers Market (Bend); Kelly Streit, Nutrition Consultant with On Nutrition Streit; Sharon Thornberry, Oregon Food Bank; Peter Tuomola, manager, Troutdale, Clackamas, and Fairview Farmers Markets; and Karen Wagner of Pendleton Farmers Market. This marks the first year that board positions include non-market managers. Board Officers for 2008 include: Val Blaha, President; Chris Coles, Vice President; Karen Wagner, Secretary; and Melissa Matthewson, Treasurer.

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Markets Promotion Project grant funds are helping OFMA do long range strategic planning, organizational restructuring, and identifying market members needs.

The phenomenal growth of farmers’ markets brings value to Oregon farmers, customers and the communities in which they reside, but also growing pains for the markets. USDA grant Program Manager Karen Wagner weighs in, “The Association not only provides a voice for markets all over the state, but will now be better positioned to serve this burgeoning agricultural niche and to help meet the growing hunger for “local food” in Oregon.”

OFMA is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of Oregon farmers’ markets. OFMA maintains a website and provides a comprehensive list of Oregon farmers’ markets in the form of a brochure. For a complete listing of 2008 markets and information about the Association, visit www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org or call 503-525-1035.

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Seed Funding for Moving Good Food into Larger-Scale Markets
Wallace Center seeks regional leaders for National Good Food Network

The Wallace Center at Winrock International seeks proposals from organizations and collaborative efforts ready to serve as Regional Lead Teams (RLT) in the National Good Food Network. This emerging network supports and integrates nonprofit and for-profit work to build needed value chains, relationships, systems, and infrastructure in order to bring more good food to more people. Awards of up to $30,000 are available to a total of seven teams focused on moving good food – healthy, green, fair, affordable food – beyond the direct-marketing realm into larger scale, wholesale channels.

To download the full Request for Proposals as a PDF, please click here.

Note: The application deadline is June 16, 2008.

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Staff at USDA Agricultural Marketing Service have been hard at work since November’s first ever National Farmers Market Summit, and the final draft of the Summit Proceedings Report is now available at their web site. Visit the National Farmers Market Summit Proceedings Report to read about the 12 priorities identified by the 75 Summit participants, as well as some of the strategies and opportunities for collaboration across a broad spectrum of partners discussed at the event.

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To be truly successful, markets need four crucial elements: the right mix of vendors and products; a strong sense of place; solid economic and operational underpinnings; and a firm commitment to the surrounding community. The Project for Public Spaces will host a How to Create Successful Markets training course on May 16-17, 2008. Through this training course, participants will learn about each of these elements and more through workshops and on-site tours of New York City’s open-air farmers markets, indoor public markets, flea markets and urban farms. The workshop will cover:

• Benefits of markets;
• Ingredients of successful markets;
• Introduction to Placemaking;
• Market planning process;
• Community engagement;
• Partnership building;
• Sustainable market operations; and
• Market management.

Click here for more details or contact Kelly Williams by email or phone: (212) 620-5660.

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The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $500,000 (subject to availability of funds) for Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions (Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). The purpose of this cooperative partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information in the management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers in small sessions. The program is to give priority to educating producers of crops not insurable with Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage. A maximum of 50 cooperative partnership agreements will be funded, five each in ten designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any agreement will be $10,000.
Proposals are due March 24, 2008.

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On March 6th - 8th, the New York Farmers’ Market Federation is sponsoring a professional farmers’ market managers training program in Rochester, New York. The workshop is sponsored by USDA SARE Professional Development Program and represents the second in a three-year series of workshops. The goal of the program is to develop the skills of farmers’ market managers, develop standardized procedures, and raise the overall quality of management of farmers’ markets to create profitable marketing venues for small family farmers, reliable venues for local residents to find fresh local foods, and build a sense of community with a farmers’ market at its core. Click here to learn more about the event.

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