Our Work

Resource Collection and Creation

OFMA collects free resources from partner organizations all across the country and shares them with farmers markets to help markets in Oregon thrive. We host webinars and trainings on topics like starting a market, budgeting, adjusting operations during natural disasters and creating anti-racist farmers markets.

Network Building

Running a farmers market is a weird job, and for many farmers market staff, they don’t have an easy way to connect with fellow farmers market operators near them. We host online gatherings and our listserv connects farmers markets across the state.

Advocacy

OFMA connects with organizations that share our concern for farmers, food security and the well-being and equity of Oregon’s food system. Members sit on statewide committees, coalitions and leadership teams representing the needs of farmers markets to help inform and advocate for systemic strengthening of our food system. Read more about our advocacy and policy work.

Data Collection

OFMA serves as a hub for collecting data about farmers markets across Oregon. We conduct annual census surveys to count the number of markets, vendors, and shoppers in Oregon. We also ask other questions to gain full understanding of what it is like to run a farmers market, such as typical stall fees, market budgets, employment data, DEI work, challenges and celebrations. This data helps communicate the value of markets to policymakers, media, and funders. Dig in to the findings by reading our annual data reports.

Statewide Promotion

OFMA is always promoting farmers markets across the state. Through partnerships with organizations in communities across the state and our annual Farmers Market Week celebration, we seem to always find ourselves screaming from the rooftops about how awesome Oregon farmers markets are! Our market map page gets almost 1000 visitors a month! You can read some of the latest coverage of Oregon farmers markets in The Capital Press and Think Out Loud.