Several weeks ago I was asked to give a presentation to a Christian women’s group about growing vegetables in North Dakota as well as talk about farmers’ markets and how they operate.
It was a bit surprising to learn that many people in this group weren’t aware of what is happening in this emerging industry.
Growing vegetables and taking them to market is much like operating a grain farm. Almost always, however, vegetable farms are smaller acreages. And, unlike grain farms, there is no elevator to take your commodity, so you create your own markets.
And, just like any conventional farm, there are good years and bad years. It doesn’t matter if you’re growing canola or carrots, the seasons are going to be cyclical. And in good years, there’s a lot of bounty.
This is why farmers’ markets have seen such an emergence in North Dakota in the past 10 years.
Three of the four largest cities in the state have more than one market. Grand Forks is the only city with just one market. Fargo has three, Bismarck has three and Minot has two markets. They are all separate businesses. Each market is considered a competitor of the other.
At last count, there were 56 farmers’ markets across the state including some in the smallest communities in North Dakota. The vendors and the customers in those small towns are to be commended for getting an organization like a farmers’ market not only started, but to get it to thrive.
Over the years, people have attempted to grow vegetables on a larger scale with mixed results. In 2003, I wrote an article that was published in the Minot Daily News about a farmer on the North Dakota/Montana state line who was growing several acres of onions.
The NDSU Extension Research Center in Williston was assisting him in this endeavor. Whether it was successful or not, I can’t tell you. What I do know is at the time, there was a lot of excitement.
Carrots have been grown on a large scale in the Northwood area. There have been acres of cabbage grown near Cando, there is a farm in Bottineau County that grows herbs on a commercial scale, a farm in Divide County was growing mint and of course, numerous farms grow sweet corn for commercial sale.
All these producers have one thing in common. There isn’t a guaranteed place to market those commodities. And most often what happens is they find their own market or they go by the wayside.
Over those same years, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture has encouraged alternatives to the traditional crops that have grown here since territorial days and that seems to be working.
The bigger vegetable farms haven’t been as successful as the small producers who have a nearby outlet in a local farmers’ market. Customers want locally grown because it’s fresher and because there is a pretty good chance they’re going to know who grew it and under what conditions.
And that’s part of the reason farmers’ markets have been so successful. Customers get to know their farmer. Whether its vegetables, fruit, eggs, frozen beef or honey, most customers feel comfortable spending their hard-earned money on a product they know is going to be top quality.
But farmers’ markets have gone way beyond the traditional garden produce vendors. Although fruits and vegetables remain very popular among farmers’ market customers, we have seen baked goods, drinks like kombucha and lemonade, food trucks, maple syrup, BBQ sauce and the list goes on to include potters, fabrics, dog food and even massage.
It is generally believed that the more diversity in a market, the bigger the draw, which translates to a better market day for everyone.
On a statewide scale, rules prohibit products to be sold that aren’t made or produced in the state. For instance, you won’t see someone selling Watkins or Mary Kay Cosmetics products. The core idea of a farmers’ market is to keep it local and support local producers.
As fall approaches, I would encourage you to visit your local farmers’ market, wherever you may be. You’re going to start seeing items like watermelons, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes and onions. You’ll be amazed at how fresh those products are.
