Schoharie County’s Agricultural Development Office is trying to figure out where and how to do a farmer’s market—and asking both farmers and shoppers for help.
A survey asking more than a dozen questions about what type of products should be sold and whether the market should be in-person or virtual premiered at the Ag Solutions & Networking Expo last month.
The survey is available now at https://bit.ly/schohariefarmersmarket, on the Schoharie County Offices of Planning, Agriculture and Economic Development Facebook page, or by contacting Ag Development Specialist Caroline Mryan at (518) 295-8785.
So far, Ms. Myran said, about 120 surveys have been returned.
Deadline for the surveys is March 31; Ms. Myran said she plans to hold a meeting of farmers interested in taking part in mid-April.
Among the questions on the survey: What types or products do you sell or grow and what types of products should be sold at a farmers market?
How do you market your products? How far are you willing to drive to a market?
What would you consider an appropriate vendors fee (to help manage the market)? What services (paved parking, tables, electricity, WiFi) would you need?
The survey also asks the best location for an in-person market: Cobleskill, Schoharie, Middlebugh, other; and the best drop-off point for a virtual market with the same location options.
Cooperative Extension, another of the county’s ag partners, is also working on plans for this year’s Family Farm Day.
CCE Executive Director Liz Callahan said the event is set for Saturday, August 23, but there may be an option for farmers to also participate on Sunday, the 24th.
Ms. Callahan has begun meeting with farmers to gather input and talk about the process.