Off to the Farmer's Market
By byfaithonly
@byfaithonly (10698)
United States
September 5, 2008 9:17am CST
Not today, but bright and early tomorrow (Saturday) morning. This is a first for me, oh I've been to Farmer's Markets in the past to purchase produce but tomorrow I will be a 'ventor'. Yep I'm going to try to sell some of the products from my garden as well as fresh eggs.
I've been busy this last week with some writing projects and in the process my cantilope (or muskmelon as some call them) all rippened over night. We've been eating them for several weeks, a few here and a few there but as you can see from the attached picture I have a bunch of them now even after giving a bunch away. By tomorrow I will also have about 15 dozen fresh eggs (I collect 2-3 dozen a day) so am going to try selling those too. I'm also going to take 10 or so pumpkins - I still think it's too early for those to really sell but a friend said she thinks people will buy them for pies and such.
Sooooo, that explains why I haven't gotten to all my friend's discussions and numerous responses to my own discussions but for discussion:)
Have you ever been to a Farmer's Market?
What did you buy if anything?
Have you sold produce or goods at a Farmer's Market?
Do you have any tips or advice for me?
Please wish me luck and if your in the area of Mason, Michigan tomorrow stop by the Farmer's Market and tell me your a member of myLot - I'll give you a free cantilope :)
6 people like this
14 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I love farmer's markets and go every chance I get. If I could find pumpkins right now I'd get one for pies and to freeze for later, so hopefully you'll find others like me. :)
Although I have a garden, I buy fresh produce that I can't grow myself (lack of room). I'd buy eggs, but they won't allow it here after one time someone complained (after they bought them) that the eggs had set in the hot sun.
Good luck!
3 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Oh have a great plan for keeping the eggs cold - coolers. Last night I spent an hour or more poking holes in the bottom of a dozen eggs. Removed the insides to use for scrambled eggs today. Cleaned and dried completely and tada I have a dozen 'eggs' to display in carton while others stay nice and cool in the coolers.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Well, you are right some people just like to complain and spoil it for everyone else. I know last week I took 15 dozen to the food place in town where they feed the homeless. I had them in coolers and had to go someplace else before I went there and they were in the back of the van for close to 2 hours before I delivered them. When I opened the coolers you would have thought they just came out of the refridgerator so I'm not concerned about that.
Wish you were here too :)
1 person likes this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
5 Sep 08
That is so exciting! I love farmers markets but have never taken anything to sell. Our local town doesn't have one - if someone has something to sell they just park their pickup truck up on the main street and everyone flocks to buy whatever they have to sell!
What are you going to be charging for eggs? I have a few hens and usually have surplus but have never taken them to the farmers market. To me, the farm fresh eggs should be worth more than those stale, pale yellow things they sell in the grocery store, but didn't really know what to charge.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I'm asking/getting $2.00 per dozen for the eggs. I checked a couple chain stores and their getting $3.50 a dozen for the 'organic' which ours are - no chemicals, cage free, range free.
We actually have a market in our town but they charge way more than I can afford for what little I have to sell so am going north to another. They actually block off the street and farmers pull their trucks or van in my case into a parking spot and set up shop. I've never been to this one but it sounds like fun.
1 person likes this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I have checked into some, but the few I have checked want everyone who is selling a particular item to charge the same price. I don't really think that is right because one person's green beans may be much better than another person's green beans and they should have the option to charge more.
2 people like this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I wish you luck with both the eggs and the cantalopes. Let us know how it turns out!
2 people like this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Oh wow. Good luck on selling everything. I think it would be great to be able to sell the produce I don't eat (that is when we start harvesting it) but i haven't looked into it here where I am. I think I will look into it though. I know I am going to have a tone of zucchini when it starts producing. My bush beans are getting big too.
2 people like this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Yes, I am going to look into that. I am sure that you will do well with all your stuff. Those canteloupe looks great! I just got done drying seeds that I had saved from a farmers market canteloupe.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Mine came on too fast - one day we were getting one or two a day and then all of a sudden I had over 50, that picture isn't even all of them and I've just been sorting them and am feeding a few to the chickens as they have soft spots. I am also saving seeds to dry for next year :) why buy when I have them for free :)
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I got a ton of bush beans but my Kentucky Wonder beans didn't do well at all - not enough water. I'm also taking the birdhouses I made from the birdhouse gourds. Next year I'll have a ton of those to sell - you might too so Farmer's market might be a good thing for you to check into.
2 people like this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I've never vended at a farmer's market, although I go to them a lot. The fruits and veggies are so much more yummy than in the store. It's mostly organic and you can negotiate prices with vendors.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Yea the stuff you get at the store has been sprayed with chemicals, picked too early, and shuffled around the country. I far prefer home grown over store bought.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
5 Sep 08
I live in the city and even though we have a large yard, my husband (the meanee) does not want me to plant a vegetable garden. I managed to sneak in some raspberries, strawberries, and two blueberry bushes at the side of the house near the neighbor's. I have been to as Farmer's Market, but never sold anything there. I do not know how things work, but you could type in some Pumpkin Pie recipes, or recipes that they could try using your produce. Like for instance, eggs, pudding recipes, omelets, etc.
Can't make it to Michigan, husband had a stroke, he cannot walk that fast and they may not let him go past the border without extra on his travel medical insurance, and do not have enough money for a plane ticket. Sorry.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Well, you will be here with me in thought I'm sure. And it seems to me he could at least let you have a few veggies - they are so much better when you grow them yourself.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
5 Sep 08
How fun!
Did you really meant 'ventor'? LOL
I've been to quite a few farmer's markets in my day, but I've never sold anything. I've only had a small garden twice before and it was enough for our use alone. I would love to have a garden big enough to share with others or sell, so I'm hoping to be able to buy my own home soon that will give me enough room to have a 'real' garden.
If I were anywhere close, I'd stop by for sure and hit you up for that cantaloupe!
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
LOL - you found out my secret - didn't take the time to spell check and now everyone knows "Faith is horrid when it comes to spelling" :( The only reason I have a huge garden now is because as much as I hate to admit it of my ex-husband. It's his land but as long as I do the work can have as much garden space as I want (he has 9 acres - no way I'll take all that space).
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Oh I laughed - I do thank God daily for 'spell check' math major here but can't spell worth beans which they say is unusual because I read read read. Guess just my mind works to fast on 'concept' and I know not on 'detail'.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
5 Sep 08
LOL, I was just picking on you. For all I know you really were 'venting'.
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
6 Sep 08
I have been to a Farmer's Market, but I have never actually bought anything at a Farmer's Market. I have never sold anything at a Farmer's Market.
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
6 Sep 08
We were disappointed with our local farmer's market - it wasn't really any different from going to a supermarket. There is a public market farther away that has very good produce, but it's more expensive. So we're still hunting.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Sep 08
Oh that's a shame you haven't found a good farmer's market. I know some prices can be a bit 'high' but the good thing is the quality of the produce is far better from the farmer's market and most are grown locally.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Sep 08
Oh I would soooo stop by if I lived in Michigan. Girl your life sounds wonderful. We use to live it when I was a child frowing up in Australia. Ah, those were the days. Our Farmers Market here is pretty awesome too. Students from Cal Poly sell their fruit and veggies--it's great. Have fun!
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Sep 08
LOL - scarey, I read it the way you ment it :) on here I never use the preview, I'm here for fun and that would just make it too serious - it's more fun finding the typoes later :)
@slickcut (8140)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Oh Faith , i am happy for you ..Things sure seems to looking up for you since this time last year....I hope you can sell all your stuff,and make some money.I love the Farmers market we have here.It is a long way from where i live but when i go all these venders have such good fresh veggies & i love it...Good luck to you & hope you do really good....
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Sep 08
Well I don't know about looking up - I am so very tired, not making enough money, and stress level is very very high but as usual I'm trying my best to make the best of bad situations. Just keep working my butt off (which I can stand to lose a little of) and keep my chin up.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Mason Michigan huh? Well that is kind of far from SW Ohio, especially with the gas prices as they are..lol
The farmers market here stops on the last Saturday of August, but the one time this year we did make it, I got some tomato plants including the delicious yellow pear that I am enjoying..
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Sep 08
Wow this one I'm going to runs through the end of September. Yea gas prices are putting a cut in traveling for a lot of people. I had hoped to make a trip to Lake Michigan at least once this summer but not looking like I'm going to make it.
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I'll be praying for you as you go into Walnut Grove to sell your....Oh wait a minute. You not Caroline Ingalls. :) I have been watching the first Little House episodes the last couple of days. Man I love the show. Just what you were saying reminded me som much of that. Work back then was more difficult but seems so much more satisfying. Good luck tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
10 Sep 08
Oh wow I didn't know that was the first episode - Little House first aired when I was in high school and my Dad had something else he watched the same time it was on so I didn't get to see the 'original' shows. I fell in love with the re-runs though a few years later.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Sep 08
Oh thank you so much dear for your prayers - and I am honored that you would associate me with Caroline Ingalls :) I love that show and have seen every single episode from day one many many many times. Yes those were difficult times but one of the things I love most about that show is 'family'. Have you seen the one where Charles gets hurt and owes money for a plow or something? Mary and Laura go to town and start doing the work Charles was supposed to get paid for but wasn't if the job wasn't done on time - then the whole town comes and starts helping. I cry just thinking about that show - people helping people something we don't see often these days.
1 person likes this
@doubleloveyou (2466)
• United States
8 Sep 08
Yes, I just watched that episode the other day. That was the first episode (besides the pilot)
@snowy22315 (208913)
• United States
5 Sep 08
i went to a Farmer's Market a few weeks ago. The thing that I thought was funny was that there were two people selling corn, right across from each other. One was 4 ears for two dollars and the other was 4 ears of 1.00 they were literally steps apart. As you can imagine I wnet for the less expensive corn. The ears looked very similar to the ones that were selling for more almost directly across from them. We ate it for dinner that night and it was delicious.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Oh that is funny - I too would have gone for the cheaper. I'm a little concerned about the cantilope and having many others also selling them but my prices are really really low as I just need to get rid of them before they go bad - not going to be a big money maker tomorrow - $.50 each :)
1 person likes this
@LouiseKnittel (4764)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I have some tips.. sunscreen,Sunglsses, water bottles, Pack a lunch, Chairs to sit on, a extra long sleeve shirt, A couple folding tables,.. Maybe a nice table clothe or two, to make it very eye catching. Bring a huge stack of the store grocery bags to pack their purchases in. Bring at lease 50.00 in change. Change of shoes and sock in case you get your feet wet.. a whole clothing change is very good idea. A big brimmed hat to keep the sun out of your eyes. Mini first aid kit. Always good to bring a helper, so that when you have to use the restroom, your stuff is still being sold/watched.
That is all that I can think of for now! Hope you do well. Let us know!
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Wow I'm doing better than I thought - actually have everything you listed except $50 for change, afraid after I pay the space fee all I'll have is $20 but I'll just have to wing it this time around. I have done craft shows before so just figured pretty much the same except food instead of crafts :) Am also making some very simple cut flower arrangements using canning jars and mini-sunflowers I have growing/blooming right now - thought that would be attractive and cut some dry corn stalks to make small bundles to place at the sides of my mini-van to 'dress' that up a bit.
