| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Cowgurl |
Posted - May 31 2004 : 11:40:21 AM
Just down the road from our new place is a really well-attended farm market in the middle of the town square. In addition to the typical veggies, herbs, and eggs, I plan to sell the following: hand made goat's milk soap, canned goods (from my garden/orchard), canvas tote bags that I sew from old feed sacks, candles, and herb teas.
Any other ideas for farm market products?
Robin |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| cecelia |
Posted - Aug 22 2004 : 3:34:03 PM
Hi Jeannie,
I was back on the forum, looking for the title to a book, and saw your reply. Actually, I have been cutting down on the time I volunteer at the nature preserve; takes too much of my time. I don't work anymore (did so for 24 years then got married!). that is - outside of the home! I'm plenty busy here, and now that my son is a bit older I have been thinking of an outside job again, but when I factor in the costs (more taxes, gas, etc.) it doesn't seem worth it.
I do try to teach once or twice a year, night school, and have taught things like organic gardening, topographic map reading (lots of hunters took that on!), crafts. etc. Doesn't pay much, but it's a way to get out of the house. Yes, tell your husband to start selling those walking sticks!
Cecelia
ce's farm |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Aug 22 2004 : 11:27:21 AM
Cecelia,
My husband makes walking sticks, and when he is done, they are smooth and feel good to carry. He makes all heights, too, so everyone can have one that is "just right." But he will not try to sell them, even though I have encouraged him to do so. He just likes to sit on the porch once in awhile and work on a walking stick. I love using mine, and when I had surgery, I made him put it by my bedside, to help me get myself in and out of the bed.
Now I will tell him about your sale, and maybe he will make us more!
How do you find time to volunteer with all the other work you do? :) Sounds like a good place to give your time to.
Our farmer's market takes place in the downtown parks of our city, covered in huge live oaks. The street called Park Avenue is just that, block after block of city parks. They have live music, jewelry, potted plants, fresh gourmet breakfasts, smoothies, pottery, and also, of course, the organic fresh veggies. It is well attended, and is almost like an art fair and market mixed. I have also seen soup mixes for sale, and lots of herbs. And pets. Baskets. It is great.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| cecelia |
Posted - Aug 22 2004 : 11:11:20 AM
This isn't something that needs to be sold strictly at farmers markets, perhaps some of you farmgirls could sell them elsewhere.
At the nature preserve where I volunteer, we began cutting wood and selling them as walking sticks. Nothing much to start with, but this year we're doing it up a bit more fancy. Last year we didn't anticipate how much the kids (and adults) would go for the idea - we charged $1 per stick, and had lots of donated (and later purchased, as we ran out of supplies) craft items to decorate the sticks: fur, feathers, pine cones, ribbon, etc. This year, due to last year's demand, we're planning to pre-package the craft items and hand them out with the sticks. Also, we aren't allowed to cut living trees on the property, so we had to use dead & downed trees, or old sticks we found on the ground. This year, we will be cutting fresh wood as a couple of off-site areas (with permission) so the sticks will be fresher. If you are really creative/crafty, I bet you could make up some fancy sticks and sell them for a few dollars more than the craft supplies would cost.
Cecelia
ce's farm |
| Cowgurl |
Posted - Jun 07 2004 : 09:34:10 AM
Lolly, That's a great idea about the seed starters. I'll have to keep that in mind. I'd love to share some recipes. They are all packed right now, but as soon as we move (1 1/2 weeks) and get things put away, I'll post some.
Paula, I love the idea about the pet watering bowl! Our local coffee shop has a bowl filled with water outside for pets, too. I plan to put labels on most of my products indicating that they've been grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. I'm not planning on going through the certified-organic process because it's expensive and time-consuming. I do grow everything organically though.
Robin
Cowgurl, farmgurl, momgurl, wifegurl... |
| Paula J. |
Posted - Jun 07 2004 : 06:02:41 AM
Robin,
I adore the farmer's market here. It's just a block from where I work, so I try to pop over on Saturday mornings (only time it's open).
I would love to try goat's milk soap and have canned goods available. The tote bags should sell well, too, as people always buy too much and can't carry it all!
One thing I've found gets a lot of attention is to have a bowl for pets who might accompany people to grab a quick drink. Kind of breaks the ice for some people, gets them to stop and talk -- then you can market your items!
One young couple here includes a sheet with recipes, particularly if they have something a little different for some people. For instance, chard isn't widely available here in the grocery stores. So, when they have chard, they include a couple of recipes on how to prepare it.
That's all I can think of this a.m. If it was me, I would also be interested in whether or not the products were organic, but that's just me ...
pj
quote:
Originally posted by Cowgurl
Just down the road from our new place is a really well-attended farm market in the middle of the town square. In addition to the typical veggies, herbs, and eggs, I plan to sell the following: hand made goat's milk soap, canned goods (from my garden/orchard), canvas tote bags that I sew from old feed sacks, candles, and herb teas.
Any other ideas for farm market products?
Robin
Paula J.
Collinsville, OK
dragonflybodywork@earthlink.net |
| Lolly |
Posted - Jun 05 2004 : 3:54:35 PM
Robin, I sell my extra seed starts that I bumped up to 4" pots. I've had good luck with tomatoes, peppers, herbs, annual flowers. Also I'd love your recipes for soap, candles and herb teas. I need additional products to sell also and I like your ideas, thanks. Lolly |
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