Successful characteristics and motivations for farmers to participate in a small farmers’ market: A case study of a small Minnesota farmers market.

The research question addressed in this capstone is characteristics that make a farmers’ market successful from the perspective of vendors who participate in a case study market. Other information is also obtained to learn more about the vendor’s background, reason for selling at the case study market, as well as disadvantages to the case study market. The methodology to answer the question included both questionnaire surveys and face-to-face interviews. Literature supporting the increase in farmers’ markets across the United States as well as information on how to begin a farmers’ market was included in this study. The study concluded that the key characteristics of both the case study market and farmers’ markets in general must have a variety of vendors and products, optimal market day and time, good advertising and a beneficial location.