Q&A with Terryn Varney, Business Development Specialist: How Does KCARD Work with Farmers Markets?

August 9, 2024 Brent Lackey

If you ask Business Development Specialist, Terryn Varney, what one of her favorite parts of working for KCARD is, she will quickly tell you that it’s working with farmers markets. On any given day across the state, you can find local farmers, bakers, artisans and more selling their products to their neighbors. Often, we do not see farmers markets themselves as a business, but Terryn helps them seek guidance for a number of things including what legal structure is best for them, how to get funding for a pavilion, and general strategic planning.

Q: Why are farmers markets special to you?

A: Farmers markets are a showcase of local products grown, raised or made by our neighbors and there is something incredibly special about that. I have found that most vendors at a market truly care about the quality of their product, not just how many they can sell to you and what you will pay for it. Running a market each week is no easy task and I think most customers of markets miss how much organization and planning goes into each market day. It makes me happy if I can be helpful in making that process easier.

Q: What is some of the typical work you do with farmers markets?

A: One of the greatest values at KCARD is that we work with people from their starting point - farmers markets are no different. Typically, our services revolve around planning for the future, either through business and strategic planning or financial planning. We also offer organizational structure assistance, which can range from educational sessions with members of the board of directors or advisory committees, to bylaw review to understanding what legal structure might work best for their market. We also help markets find funding to build physical structures.

Q: What legal structures are best for farmers markets?

A: Farmers markets have traditionally been organized a handful of ways: as an affiliate of the local extension office or local government, a stand-alone nonprofit organization, or a cooperative. While other structures exist, these three are the most common in Kentucky.

Q: What funding is available to help farmers markets?

A: Questions about funding really come down to what the need is for that organization. Here are some of the more common that are relevant to farmers markets:

Permanent Structure – Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund: Microsoft Word - farmers-market_guidelines-2017 (kyagr.com)

Permanent Structure – USDA Rural Business Development Grant: Rural Business Development Grants in Kentucky | Rural Development (usda.gov)

Marketing – Kentucky Department of Agriculture: KY Proud Promotional Grant: KYP_GrantApplication_Fillable.pdf (kyagr.com)

Marketing, Training, Planning – USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program: Farmers Market Promotion Program | Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov)

Farm to Fork Events – KDA: KYP_Fork_FarmtoForkApplication.pdf (kyagr.com)

KCARD can help markets determine what funding opportunities may be helpful for them and then help work through the application process.

Q: When should farmers markets reach out to KCARD?

A: I think the simple answer is anytime your group is in the process of making big decisions, needing to make sure all members are on the same page, or when you feel the point of view from a third party could be helpful. Some markets reach out to us because they are looking to build a permanent home and need help understanding the various grants available. Some markets are governed by a board of directors and need help understanding their roles as board members, while other markets want guidance on how to hire a market manager. Our services are free, and we can meet with your group to discuss where your starting point is and develop a path forward.