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Entrepreneurship:  Farmer's Market  |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 06:43:59 AM
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Hi! I would like your opinions on what unique items I can take to a farmers market I will be selling at this year. I have quite a variety of items and some hopefuls based on time! Here's my list so far...what would you as a shopper like to see added or have no interest in. I would also love to hear from anyone who also sells at markets and what has done well for you! Thanks for your help!
non foods:
soy jar candles
bath teas
milk bath
soap rose petals (maybe)
rag quilts (baby mostly)
quilted coasters and pot holders (maybe)
homemade laundry detergent (hopefully)
fresh cut sunflowers
pet treats:
dog biscuits
horse treats
baked goods/foods:
chocolate covered pretzels
granola bars (different flavor varieties)
bagged granola (maybe)
coconut bread
english muffin bread
pumpkin bread
whole wheat bread
cinnamon/oatmeal bread
homemade pizza sauce (frozen)
freezer jams (maybe)
premade homemade pizza (frozen) maybe
brown eggs (maybe)
Thanks for your help!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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idcityrose
True Blue Farmgirl
202 Posts
Rose
Idaho City
Idaho
USA
202 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 08:36:27 AM
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Hi, we hope to get a Farmers Market up and running here in Idaho City soon (end of May or June) so I was interested in the kinds of things you were going to bring.
Everything on you list sounds like real marketable items and if you are in an area where these things are appreciated you should do well.
We hope to have the breads also, in addition to Flowers, some produce and crafts made by local artisans.
I have never heard of horse treats, though. What are they made of? Just curious.
I wish you great sucess in your endeavors..
Farmgirls blessings...some people look for happiness, others create it.
Sincerely...idcityrose (Mountain Farmgirls of Idaho City)
We are never alone in the forest of Sisters! We "Mountain Farmgirls" are outstanding in our field! |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 08:45:38 AM
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Hi Rose!
thanks for the reply. the horse treats I make have whole wheat flour, carrots, and molasses in them....they are baked and my horses love them! What kinds of flowers do you grow for cutting? I was thinking sunflowers but would love to have a variety this year!
Ida
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 08:52:35 AM
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| Wow! I'd want to buy all of your stuff! That sounds so cool. I wish I could shop there! |
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UrbanChick
True Blue Farmgirl
331 Posts
Ayako
Atlanta
GA
USA
331 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 11:04:34 AM
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I know at our organic farmers market in town has a bread guy and you have to get there early to get bread, he sells out so fast. I see alot of cut flowers being sold as well. I go for vegis and fruit and they have a person that sells grass fed beef so I get all my beef from there. Eggs are always popular there but since I have my own chickens I never buy those. I hope this helps.
"Courage dosen't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: I will try again tomorrow." |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 12:02:57 PM
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Hi Mima and UrbanChick...thank you for your replies! There was a guy that had bread at another market I went to and he sold out every week too, so I am really hoping to do well there! And Mimi where you from? You can come shop! We are in Ohio! Thank you again and still welcoming others comments!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 1:25:26 PM
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As I shopper, I would buy all of the above, except for the frozen items. My farmer's market routine (as a shopper anyway) is to take my time and sometimes have brunch out afterwards, so anything needing immediate refrigeration/freezing is out for me. Also, take care with your packaging. Value-added products really need to look appealing.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 1:39:45 PM
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Great diverse list...
When I go to our farmers market, which is considered the largest of the 4 No. Kentucky counties, I find alot of repetition, so your products would be most welcome! I do most of my shopping there for the week.
The only things that I haven't purchased at the market are candles and bath products....not because I don't need them, but I'm usually just there for food stuff.
I would buy (from your list :))eggs, all the breads, dog treats, cut flowers, bagged granola for sure, quilts if I need a gift, and possibly the frozen pizza's if they're smaller sized. Like I said, I'm usually there for foodstuff, so my very large bag gets heavy and awkward with all the potatoes, onions and weighty squash's, and my husband makes sure to stay asleep when I go to the farmers market, so it's just me carrying it.
I'd really love it if someone sold their own pasta sauces...I'm not that great at the canning thing  . The one gal I buy the most from at our market sells grass fed hormone free beef and pork, and jams (about 20 differnt kinds!) I can easily spend $75 at her booth alone!
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 2:29:35 PM
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That all sounds wonderful. Do you need to have a Health Department certified kitchen to sell the good for human consumption? I would double check you country regulations before planning on selling baked goods! :)
Ciao
Alee |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2007 : 4:37:20 PM
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Wow thanks guys! Alee....we have to follow regulations for Cottage Foods....basically its about the labeling. If I were to sell to a store then that would be different regs. Kygurl.....thank you! No Kentucky is actually not super far from here...there is a large market in Lebanon Ohio on Thursdays but its too far to travel for me. The candles and bath products are all soy based so that is how I get to do that. Kitchenqueen.....yes you are right about the packaging...not sure what I will do with the breads to make them look nicer but all the bath and body stuff and candles are with my logo..and I have dreams of making drawstring cloth bags for the laundry detergent. Thanks for the advice and please keep them coming if you think of anything else! You guys are great!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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Lisa Nezovich
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Lisa
Columbus
Ohio
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 2:26:03 PM
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Wow that is a lot of different stuff. I have done 2 different farmers type markets. I make basically soaps lotions and soy candles. I have not had a lot of luck selling other types of bath and body items. But every market is different.
Will you be at the Ohio soap gathering this sat?
www.Botanical-Bath.com |
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idcityrose
True Blue Farmgirl
202 Posts
Rose
Idaho City
Idaho
USA
202 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 2:57:42 PM
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Hi ida, thanks for the info on the horse treats. Lots of my friends have horses here so it might be something to really check out. We can grow almost any type of flower here that will survive our zone 4 growing season. I love strawflowers and always have petunias and pansies. Lately I have been growing the wave petunias and they are just beautiful as they cascade down over the planters. I have tons of iris, some lavendar, geraniums in pots. Herbs do really well here and come back very hardy. One of our farmgirls is trying to develop herb cures as she has lupus and does'nt take any pharamacutical drugs and is trying to find alternative ways to maintain her health. We grow pumpkins, asparagus, zucchini, gourds, tomtoes, peas, beans, carrots, lettuce, potatoes and more. We get pretty creative when it comes to growing as our altitude is about 4500 ft.
We are going to have our first farmers market June 16 so I printed out your list of items and read them to our farmgirl chapter at last nights meeting so thanks for the ideas.
Some people look for happiness, others create it.
idcityrose
We are never alone in the forest of Sisters! We "Mountain Farmgirls" are outstanding in our field! |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 3:34:52 PM
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Lisa....there are several maybes.....I would love to have the time to get it all done! I didn't know about the soap gathering this Saturday can you tell me more about that? I really need to get over my lye fear and make soap! I have read tons of online instructions I think I would be more confident if I could get a hands on lesson! Are you in Columbus? About 1 1/2 hours from here not too far!
cityrose....If you want the recipe for the treats let me know....they are super easy and they just love them! I will surely have sunflowers but I would also like to add some others for cutting!...wow your veggie garden sounds HUGE!! Did the people at your meeting last night have anything to add to that list?
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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Lisa Nezovich
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Lisa
Columbus
Ohio
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 4:57:19 PM
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LOL... If you came over to help me soap for a show... you would never want to make another batch of soap ever....or look at a mold or a stickblender. Dont be afraid of the lye, just remember chemistry class and good lab habits.
Here is the info on the gathering http://www.ohiosoapers.com/
It sounds like it will be fun, there are a few demos, a garage sale area and and a vendor area. I will be bringing a lot of odds and ends of fragrances for the garage sale. One lb and less, selling them for cheap because I need the space and can not really use anything less than 2 lbs.
www.Botanical-Bath.com |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 6:58:56 PM
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Lisa....hmmmm why's that? LOL You wouldn't happen to know anyone who gives classes or workshops on soap making would ya? I will put that on my list of things to do! ohiosoaprs looks fun! I bookmarked it! Good luck at the garage sale and I hope you sell all your stuff!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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Lisa Nezovich
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Lisa
Columbus
Ohio
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 8:12:41 PM
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Well... at this point I dont do fun little batches. I do 15 or 45 lb pours and I make the same soaps over and over and over then I have to do it all again. It gets old quick. Same with lotions and lip balms.... I make lots and many I really dont like. But I make what sells and the business will be 10 years old this September. Oh and I soap after the boys go to bed (I have a 3yr old and a 2 month old, I will sleep when they finish college)
Although when I am testing new stuff... I make little batches or when I am hosting a swap I can get a bit creative. (I'm active in the soap community).
I dont know anyone who gives classes, but if you can find a soap gathering, they usually have some soap demos.
But when you are ready to make soap... I have coached peeps over the phone. What I recommend is Crock pot soap for your first batch, and you need a good digital scale, an old crock pot, a stick blender and Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch. The crock pot is to "cook it" and you can use it as soon as it cools. No waiting 6 weeks, No FO or EO problems and instant gratification.
www.Botanical-Bath.com |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 03:31:00 AM
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Wow you sure are busy!! There are several candles in my line that I don't really like either, I so understand that! A soap demo sounds like fun! That's funny you mentioned crock pot soap. As I looked online for information...that is surely the only I will start with! Instant gratification that's what I need!!! Do you have a good link for that process?....thanks for the encouragement! Oh and would you say CP or HP is more difficult? Thanks! I was thinking for the market I would just like to have a slab of soap and I would cut it to order...what do you think?
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 12:05:50 PM
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Lisa-
You made me laugh the "I'll sleep when the go to college" bit. I am a new mom with a 1 month old. I am starting to get the impression that you hit the nail dead on with that!
Alee |
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Lisa Nezovich
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Lisa
Columbus
Ohio
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 12:08:25 PM
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I dont know of any good HP sites, But this is the best site out there. Just like the soapmakers companion all of the recipes work. http://www.millersoap.com/ CPHP, instead of pouring it after it incorporates turn the crock pot on and when it looks like old vaseline, it is done. When it cools it will look more opaque and be soap. Add your fragrance last.
Cp and HP have their own pros and cons.
CP you will have scents mutate, seizes, ricing, curdling, & separation problems. BUT you can get a great feathered swirls and pour much larger batches and use much less water for harder bars. I have only made CP for years and I have made the same base recipe for close to 8.
HP when it is finished you can scoop a hand full out and run to the shower, you dont have issues that are from the fragrance... the seize, separation, ricing and on and on.... since you add the scent at the end when it is finished... no chemical reactions to screw up your soap... and you can use a lot less fragrance 5% Vs 1 oz per pound(sometimes more). But you are limited to your crock pot size, or you can do it in the oven http://lovenaonline.com/soapmaking/index.html.
HTH.... once you get through the first batch.... it is a downward spending frenzy on more supplies.
www.Botanical-Bath.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 2:20:15 PM
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Ida-
A slab of soap sounds like a good idea in theory- however it has been my experience that as the soap cures and hardens it is more likely to flake, chip, or crack in unexpected directions when you cut it. If you had a big slab of soap at the farmer's market you could risk your soap breaking when you try to cut. Also, speaking from experience, having unwrapped soap at the farmer's market can be a hazard. If the wind is blowing you can get all sorts of things blown into your soap- like dirt or leaf debris. It isn't very appealing to be picking stuff off your soaps. Also if it starts to rain and you don't have a roofed tent, then you risk your batch getting pretty icky. I had both of those things happen at my soap stand at our local farmer's market.
Good Luck!
Alee |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 2:22:06 PM
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oh Lisa!!! I just flipped thru those links and my head is spinning! And I know just what you mean about the downward spending frenzy on supplies.....I have tons of FO yet to test in wax! Thanks for the info tho...someday!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2007 : 07:06:39 AM
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Alee....
Thanks for reminding me of those things! I did a market last year and had a slab of melt and pour oatmeal milk and honey with ground oatmeal where I cut to order. It sold well and I liked the idea of cutting it to order. Which process has a larger risk of becoming too brittle? I am hoping to have a tent this year...something I did without last year. Thank you again...you guys are great to run ideas past!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2007 : 10:14:39 AM
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Ida-
In my experience, fully cured "real" soap is always more hard than the melt and pour soap. The melt and pour soap is actually an extremely soft soap because it is mostly glycerin. Homemade soap has a lot of glycerin in it as well, but it also has lots of other things in it as well. Hot Process and Cold Process soaps are essentially the same when it comes right down to it- Hot process just gets you there faster and so there are a few different ways scents and things act.
Since cold process soap takes so long to cure, you have a longer time to cut it before it starts to get hard, but I would not advise selling uncured cold process soap at the Farmer's Market.
My advice would be to make a test batch before Farmer's Market season. Test you cutting and such so you know how it is going to behave. Perhaps your soap recipe will not be as hard as mine and will cut better. My fully cured soap did cut but had a bit of splintering and so was not as "pretty" as I wanted for a farmer's market presentation.
Alee
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 10:29:11 AM
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Lisa,
Love your website! May have to try some of your lotions, perfume and soaps.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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garliclady
True Blue Farmgirl
274 Posts
Reidsville
NC
274 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 11:29:16 AM
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I sell dog biscuits when I have time to make them. They sell well.
Most of the other stuff you mentioned is sold by different vendors at our market and i assum they sell well. The list sounds great. Will you sell produce too. I gear my value added products towards what I am growing. I make my own garlic powder and herb blends from garlic and herbs i grow . Some herbs like basil I take to market fresh and if I don't sell them I will dry them and sell them in my blends. Our dog biscuits have some of our ingredients in them . So even if some one else is selling some thing I do they usually are not growing the ingredients, which at my market makes mine more appealing. Another idea is to sell dip mixes and bread dipper mixes . They sell well for me.
My Farm http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&ext=1&groupid=140532&ck=
My Recipes http://recipecircus.com/recipes/garliclady/]
My blog http://www.epicourier.com/Garliclady/ |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2007 : 05:03:55 AM
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Alee...thank you for the information! I sure got alot to learn!
Garliclady.... my biscuits did well last year....I used a small heart cookie cutter and had samples for the dogs that came to market and that was fun! I am hoping to sell some produce and herbs too. Do you have any links for some dip mix recipes? I think they would be fun to try!
Have a great day!
Ida
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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Entrepreneurship: Farmer's Market |
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Farmer's Market
