BF 155: Getting Started in Farmers Market Sales

Training Objective:

Four Root Farm is a Certified Organic Vegetable and Cut Flower farm in East Haddam owned equally by its four founders / owners. Direct sales at Farmers’ Markets account for 80% – 90% of our gross sales. This workshop will try to help new and aspiring farmers decide if Farmers’ Markets are right for them and, if so, how to get the most out of those markets. We will talk about how to find and choose markets, how to apply to them, what makes a great display, and more.

 

Trainer Bios:

Aaron Taylor grew up in Vermont and went to college at Wesleyan University.  In 2010, after a few years away from Connecticut, he and his wife Caitlin moved from NYC to New Haven where he started volunteering at Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge. This experience hooked him on farming, and ultimately led to the opportunity to start his own operation (Darling Farm) a few miles away. Aaron, Caitlin, and their partners Rachel and Elise purchased land in East Haddam and started Four Root Farm in December of 2015. At Four Root Farm, Aaron is in charge of infrastructure, irrigation, harvest, and wholesale. He also is the Market Manager of the Madison Farmers’ Market and Co-Owner of the Connecticut Greenhouse Company.

 

Rachel Berg is a Connecticut native, growing up in Bethany and New Haven. After graduating from the University of Chicago and spending some time in the Pacific Northwest, she found herself back in Connecticut managing farmers’ markets for CitySeed in New Haven and volunteering at various area farms, one of which was Massaro Community Farm, where she met Aaron and decided to be a farmer. She left Massaro after three seasons to attend the UVM Farmer Training Program, and then came back to join her partners and start Four Root Farm where she manages most aspect of field production and keeps the books. Rachel is a member of CitySeed’s Advisory Committee and the Steering Committee of the New CT Farmer Alliance.