It would help alot to know where you live and your zone.

Ditto on where are you. 100 miles is a long way for a market for a new grower.

Also read the thread "gotta do something increase sales" all 76 comments. that is a masters course in what to do and not do for market gardeners

I have read and reread that thread several times, i agree it is a must read.

I am in zone 7a/6b. I have 2 growing seasons separated by intense heat. I am going to increase my mulch and probably shade cloth to attempt to keep crops producing during the heat.

I am not a first year grower but yes fairly new. Last year was very successful and I learned so much about what not to do. I gave away a couple hundred pounds of produce and sold some boxes of mixed produce as well. I had a few regular customers. Until the heat hit hard and shut down all greens and most tomatoes and peppers too.

That will be my main issue is having something during the heat of late July and early august.

The Lubbock market is really the best option.

sounds like you are on your way. Good luck and keep us posted.

What varieties of tomatoes do you grow for early production?

And do you all grow all your transplants from seed or do you buy plants?

Also what sort if record keeping/ planning system do you use?

The varieties I grow in West Central Illinois will be different than what you grow in west Texas. I start all my plants from seed to save cost but it does require labor. Record keeping/ planning for start up, I use a system of calendars for planting of seeds, transplanting, direct seeding, harvesting, market sales and expenses. I print of calendars off the web and use this system to gather data and then transfer it to a better system. I need to go to a Quikbooks type system. if you are computer user there are good systems out there for business record keeping. I

I had a small wholesale nursery about 10 years ago. The plugs I got in from my suppliers always had bugs or diseases.

I try to grow all my own too. I gave awày 100's of plants as I didnt expect such great success.

Last year I kept pretty good records about what when and how much but not terribly organized. This year I want to do much better. I think I over complicated my record keeping style so this year will just be easier.

For planning and record keeping, you might want to check out Richard Wiswall's book: The Organic Farmer's Business Handbook. It has a lot of insight into how to figure your cost of labor and the profitability of your crops.

(You don't have to be an organic grower for it to be helpful. I think most new small growers would find it useful.)

That does look like a great book. I gave been gathering my notes from last year's harvests to see if I will be able to have enough to get started in May

wow, I'd never drive 100 miles to a market, can't you put up your stand and do craigslist /facebook ads? I quit a market in Indianapolis because it was 45 miles away, it seemed like a million miles to me after I was packed up to go home!

I know before I moved here I thought 10 miles was too far. Now 60 is nothing. The nearest Wm and grocery is 60 miles.

I spoke with the market manager and a previous vendor and I am excited about this market. I also have plans to do a small farmstand on Tuesday. I have talked to several locals between the 2 towns where I live (pop.500 each) and I believe I will have over 20 regular customers there. Probably more after I advertise in the paper and FB. Craigslist doesn't help here since Closest cities are 100 miles. I don't currently have anyplace to store large quantities of produce, although I am working on that since I have 2 huge walkin coolers, so produce picked that wont hold will be sold Tuesday, preserved or donated.

In finishing up my plans how do you calculate how much to plant?

Well lots more research I have learned how to correctly use the search function.

I am doing 110 med to lg tomatoes and 5 cherry and 5 sungold. My one sungold kept us in tomatoes all summer. I have already started them indoors and they are coming up along with all my brassicas. 288 total. I will start another round in 2 weeks.

First meeting next week!

Awesome first meeting. I can't wait to work with these people. I don't know what normal costs are but it seems reasonable$45. And then 15 per day. I plan on going to every one since it seems like inconsistency is the end for marketers. I really want to make this work for the long term and willing to do what I need to do. This particular market seems very successful and enthusiastic. Now I have to get really busy. They are having a strawberry festival April 9 and 16th and all vendors are welcome to set up as well. I am thinking of making A lot of strawberry jam to take as well as fresh greens. Also some seedlings should be ready. The first real market day is June 18th.

$45 and then $15 per day? is the $45 a sign up fee? We pay a lot less than this. I know some nearby markets charge $15 per day. have not heard of a signup fee.

The are 20 markets. 45.00 is the year fee and then 15 each time I set up. If I don't want to be a member than no 45 fee but then it's 30 per market. It's a private run market and they do all the advertising, 7000 flyers radio newspaper Internet and I guess that covers insurance. Plus one of the market managers makes signs for each vendor laminated for each product we sell. We just add our price. It seems fair compared to my other options.

Amarillo is 100. To Start and 15. Per set up and not near as much traffic. I don't have many options so maybe it is high but not for this area.

Plainview is 100 per season and maybe 10 per setup but there are only 5 or 6 vendors and not many people stop there. I hope this works out as well I believe it will

Gearing up for Mother earth news fair next weekend. Joel Sala tin and Elliot Coleman will be speaking. Can't wait to be inspired.

Has anyone ever been to one of these events?

Yes, I went to the Pennsylvania Fair a few years back. I'm not a market grower, but grow a few plants of many varieties of vegetables in my backyard garden. The fair was in the fall and I purchased several varieties of garlic I am continuing to grow each season. I also attended several talks on veggie growing that were informative and fun. There were lots of vendors with products for many different types of people...from backyard gardeners, those living off grid, those looking to supply all their own meat and veggies, those looking for business advice and opportunities, etc, etc. I have a photo of my daughter operating a portable sawmill that they were demonstrating there using logs cut from the local area. I doubt any of my family will ever use or own such a thing, but it was fascinating to see, just as many of the other products were. Enjoy your time at the fair!

I am looking forward to it I just wish my brother could have went with me. He had surgery so walking is out. I am going with an empty car so I can load up.

I've always wanted to go to one of the Mother Earth News fairs, but never was able to make it. This will be my first year selling at a farmers market and fortunately, it's only 13 miles away. I start all my veggies from seed and I'm concentrating on heirlooms. I'm not certified organic, but I use organic methods.

Sandy, was it the downtown Indianapolis' farmers market. I've not wanted to be there, but I don't like the parking issue there. I'm in Brown County, where are you? I will be selling in Nashville or Beanblossom. I'd like to do the Columbus farmers market, but we will see. Its in a humongous parking lot, can't remember the name of the company that owns it. Plenty of room for both vendors and parking for customers. Its extremely popular with lots of people going to it. Havent' checked on the prices to have a booth there yet.

Madonna