The Barrow County Farmers Market (BCFM) is a community farmers market, supported by the Board of Directors, community members, and a host of other local agencies. The market will provide access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other farm and value-added products, while creating a sense of community within Barrow County and helping to revitalize the downtown district. This market and the market manager position are being supported by a USDA Local Food Promotion Program Grant.

Manager Position

The Market Manager is a part time position (approximately 15 hrs/week, 35 weeks/year, $17.75/hr) with primary responsibility being the day-to-day operation of the farmers market. This will include an on-site presence at the market during all market hours, as well as off-site work during non-market hours. The manager will report to Board of Directors who will set all market policy. In addition, the manager will represent the market to the market’s vendors, the consumers, and to the community. The manager will also attend BCFM board meetings as needed and the annual membership meeting.

Duties—in season

• Enroll farmers/vendors in the market—either through annual vendor agreements or as daily vendors
• Conduct inspections of potential vendor’s farms and/or facilities, as well as current vendor’s farms and facilities throughout season as needed
• Collect all stall fees owed, make accurate accounting, and deposit in market account
• Arrive prior to market vendors arriving and remain throughout the market day to:
  • Properly place vendors in stalls, including assigning market stalls to daily vendors
  • Place market signs, parking signs
  • Ensure all rules and regulations are adhered to
  • Ensure all state and county regulations are adhered to
  • Answer questions for vendors and consumers
  • Resolve disputes that arise
  • Maintain market grounds in a safe manner
• Recruit and manage market volunteers as needed
• Operate market’s information booth
• Operate market’s EBT program
• Act as liaison to the BCFM board, providing accounting and performance reports as needed
• Communicate market policies, activities, and rules to farmers, keeping them informed throughout the season
• Solicit entertainment for market days, as well as sponsors for the entertainment
• Assure the market site is clean once the market is closed and the vendors have left for the day
• Maintain database of farmers, vendors, their contact information, and any licenses or permits each vendor possesses based on the products they are selling
• Manage and update market social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, etc) and website
• Attend all Board of Directors meetings
• Collect data and write reports for the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant (FMPP)
• Administer programs funded by FMPP

Duties—off season

• Vendor recruitment
• Community relationship development
• Marketing/promotional program development, including special events planning
• Work with market board to plan for market growth and development
• Engage in professional development and training as needed
• Preparations of site for next season, including
  • site permits
  • market insurance
  • ensure that any maintenance or repairs needed to site are made
  • set market schedule
  • organize volunteers
  • solicit vendors and review vendor applications

Other Desired Qualifications

•  Previous farmers market, business, non-profit, and/or  entrepreneurial  experience
• Strong self-starter
• Ability to think creatively
• People person with skills in diplomacy
• Dispute resolution skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Marketing skills
• Financial knowledge helpful: i.e., budgeting, accounting
• Passionate about the community and local agriculture