Jonesborough Farmer's Market

Jonesborough Farmers Market Rules of Operation, page 1

I. Market Bylaws

1. Statement of Purpose

The mission of the Jonesborough Farmer's Market is to provide growers and producers of food in and aroundNortheast Tennessee with a market for the direct sale of their farm raised vegetables, animal products, and homemade goods. The Jonesborough farmer's market is a local event with multiple purposes including supporting farmers, producers, and a local food economy; providing a social event that strengthens local community interaction; and providing consumer access to fresh healthy locally grown food items. The Jonesborough Farmer's Market particularly supports sustainable and humane practices, and encourages growers to embrace transparency in telling consumers how they produce food items. This is a producer-only market with a goal of enhancing local knowledge of in-season eating through increasing access to a market for seasonally appropriate fresh foods.

2. Producer-Vendor Requirement

A vendor at the Jonesborough Farmers’ Market must be the actual producing individual, an immediate family member, another producer member of the market, or an employee of the producing individual’s farm or operation.

3. Types of Merchandise Permitted

Locally raised produce, fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers and animal products.
Homemade baked goods, honey, jams, jellies and canned foods are acceptable granted they meet all State health requirements and are locally produced by the vendor selling the item. Compliance with all Health Department and Department of Agriculture guidelines and restrictions is the sole responsibility of the vendor.
Meats must be processed in a USDA inspected facility and have a Department of Agriculture stamp. All meat inspections are the responsibility of the vendor.
Craft sales are permitted provided the items are handmade by the vendor (or his/her immediate family) and must be related in some way to farming, gardening, or a heritage craft. Items may not be purchased for resale or be made from kits. A wider selection of craft items may be invited at special craft days promoted at the market. All crafts will be juried by the Market Board.
The number of craft, baked goods, and processed foods booths may be limited at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The goal of the market is to hold a ratio of 60% fresh vegetables, meats, and dairy product vendors; 30% processed food and other vendors including baked goods, desserts, canned goods and plants, and 10% arts and crafts. Membership to the market will be determined with this ratio in mind.

4. Market Season and Operating Hours

The Market will meet every Saturday Memorial Day weekend through October in the parking lot of the Washington County-Jonesborough Library, with these exceptions:

There will be no market the first full weekend in October (Storytelling Festival).

On Memorial Day Weekend, only produce and food vendors will be permitted. Plant and craft vendors must request booth space from the Garden Gala Committee.
During Jonesborough Days Weekend (near July 4th), vendor space may be limited.

Hours of operation will be each Saturday from 8:00 am-12:00 pm unless changed by Board decision. Hours will be advertised in all publicity and in the media as appropriate.
Changes in season length and daily schedule are at the discretion of the Board with sufficient expression of agreement from the vendors.

5. Market Governance

The market is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board responsibilities are to establish and enforce market rules, set fees and market days, manage market funds, and promote the market.

The Board will be comprised of individuals dedicated to the purposes of the Jonesborough Farmer's Market. The Board seeks a desired ratio of 50% vendors (representing desired vendor ratios) 40% customers; 10%Town Representatives. The Market Manager is also a Board member. Decisions will be made by unanimous vote of all Board Members. Terms are from season to season, with nominations of new members conducted by existing members at the end of each season for the next year.

The Market Manager is appointed by the Board to oversee the day-to-day business of the market. He/she answers inquiries from customers and prospective vendors, handles applications, assignment of space, collects fees and records attendance on market days.

Frequency and Types of Market Board Meetings:

Open meetings can be attended by all market members as interested whereas voting meetings with more structured agendas are limited to attendance by the Board of Directors and others who request to be present in advance. Meetings may be called at other times as needed, but the general annual meeting schedule will be:

January: Voting meeting to discuss and decide business with new and old members, review of bylaws.
February/March: Open meeting to discuss upcoming season and to plan major events. This will also be a recruitment meeting, open to prospective vendors.
April/early May:Voting meeting before market opens.
July/August: Open meetingto plan the end of season festivities.
October/November: Open meeting end of market wrap-up
November: Final season Voting meeting of Board in which new Board members are discussed and nominated.

Meeting Rules: Each meeting will have a recorder and a time keeper, decided meeting by meeting. The recorder will type a summary of each meeting available to all market members and sent out electronically, and the time keeper will act as moderator. A Treasurer will be appointed each year. The treasurer will give a brief update of the financial status of the meeting at the April/May and October/November meetings.

II. Information for Vendors

1. Becoming a Vendor: Application Process

All vendors are required to read the market rules and to fill out an application prior to selling at market. Applications can be filled out on the day of sale, but must be reviewed by the Market Manager or by a Board Member before the vendor begins selling to ensure that the basic requirements of selling at this market have been met. The Board of Directors may request a farm visit in order to inspect the origin of items sold at the Market to ensure that such sales conform to Market standards. If a request is denied, the vendor's participation in the market may be suspended by the Board until the discrepancy is resolved.

Vendors selling for the first time will be verbally reminded of the vendor/producer requirement prior to selling, to avoid any misunderstandings. For a first-time, on-the-spot seller, a daily fee can be paid and if the vendor chooses to join the market for the full season the amount paid can be deducted from the full season fee.

Applications are available by mail, by email, and at the market by contacting the Market Manager.

2. 2009 Fees

Full season vendor (May 23-Oct 31: 23 Saturdays) -- $50.00 (this equals $2.17 per market.) Vendors who pay the full season fee will have the option of a reserved space each Saturday. Full season produce vendors will also have access to advertise their farm/products on the Jonesborough Farmers Market website (Jonesborough.locallygrown.net) and participate in the online market which will provide a mid-week market option beginning in July.
Monthly vendor (any consecutive 4-week period) -- $15.00
Daily market fee for any one Saturday--$5.00. Through June, daily vendors have the option of joining the market as full-season by paying their remaining balance to become full season vendors, or they may continue to pay the weekly or monthly fee for the remainder of the season.
Other payment arrangements will be made based on individual circumstances.
It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to make sure his/her fees are paid on time.
No refunds are possible.
Contributing to Music at the Market: Volunteer musicians are invited to play at the market each Saturday. In thanks, a collection basket is passed around the market near the end of the market day and vendors are encouraged to make a contribution from their products (not money). This is optional: vendors who do not feel they are able to contribute on any given week do not have to.

3. Assignment and Use of Space

Vending space size will be determined by the Market Manager and may change over the course of the season in response to the number of applying vendors.
Full-season and monthly vendors may be assigned permanent spaces at the Market.
Vendors will have access to the Market one hour prior to the opening time for the purpose of unloading and setting up merchandise, and they must exit the premises no later than one hour after the closing time.
Vendors must be on-site and set up no later than 7:30 on any given market day or risk losing their site to another vendor. If running late, any paid vendor may reserve his/her spot by calling the Market Manager before 7:30 on market day. Full-season vendors may have until 7:45am to set up, but must advise the manager of an absence no later than 7am.
Subleasing of spaces is prohibited. A shared space is permitted, but all parties’ names must be listed on the application.
The Market Manager may change space allocations when it is considered to be in the best interest of the Market operation.
Vendors must provide their own equipment and any set-up materials for display of items.
No vendor shall be allowed to make any changes or alterations to their assigned spaces without permission from the Market Manager.
Vendors must keep all merchandise, refuse and personal property within the defined space allocated in their rental agreements
No electricity or water is available at the market.
Restrooms are available at JonesboroughTown Hall at any time, at the Library beginning at 9am, and at the Visitor’s Center beginning 10am.
No vendor shall erect an additional structure at the market without permission from the Market Manager.
Any needed repairs, hazardous conditions or problems in the Market area should be reported to the Market Manager. Persons causing damage to the parking lot or landscaping may be held financially liable for the cost of repair or replacement.
The Market Board of Directors has the authority to cancel the contract of any vendor who fails to comply with the rules and regulations of the Jonesborough Farmers’ Market.

4. Guidelines for Product Labeling

1. To avoid confusion, Farmers are asked NOT to use the term organic unless they are USDA

certified organic. The following definitions may help growers describe their practices:

Conventional is used to denote growing practices that utilize use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

No Pesticides/Chemicals/Poisonsis descriptively used to describe growing practices not specifically in compliance with any certification program. Farmers using this description grow without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

Organic  is a proprietary word used only to denote those products that have been grown on farms participating in the USDA Certified Organic program, or those making under 5,000 dollars in income AND following National Organic Program standards. Use of this label incorrectly can carry a $10,000 fine by the USDA.

Certified Naturally Grown is a proprietary phrase used by farmers participating in the Certified Naturally Grown program. CNG follows National Organic Standards but is administered by farmers not the USDA.

Genetically Modified - Farmers who use genetically modified crops or cloned animals are asked to clearly label these items so consumers know they are genetically modified. The market reserves the right to prohibit such items per unanimous Board vote.

2. At the discretion of the Market Manager, low quality produce may be required to be removed from display or marked “second quality produce.”

5. Licenses, Taxes and Permits

Any person using the Farmers’ Market for the purposes of selling or offering for sale any items on the premises must comply with all applicable Federal, State and local ordinances, including Health Department and Department of Agriculture regulations.
The collection and filing of all related taxes will be the responsibility of the vendor.

6. Market Operation, Health, and Safety Considerations

The Town of Jonesborough will provide, designate the location of and empty all public litter containers for use by customers.
The vendors will be responsible for the collection and removal of all refuse generated from sales and activity at their space.
Each vendor is responsible for leaving his/her space reasonably clean at the end of Market.
It is unlawful to sell or consume alcoholic beverages on the Market property.
No open flames (grills) are permitted on Market property without the prior approval of the Board of Directors.
No Smoking is allowed in the market area.
Proper dress and an orderly space will be expected from all vendors. Proper language for a family atmosphere will be required.
It is the responsibility of vendors to satisfy customer complaints. The Market Manager may suspend a vendor's contract until review by the Board is possible if the vendor activity jeopardizes the smooth running of the Market.
No person shall make a public outcry, do “hawking” or give any musical or other entertainment for the purpose of drawing customers or attracting attention without prior permission from the Market Committee.
All vendors shall be held responsible for the actions of their employees, agents or persons working in concert with their stand.
Potentially hazardous food items (meats, poultry, etc.) stored or displayed prior to sale shall be maintained at a temperature of 45 degrees F or below. An ice chest with a drain can be used for cooling.
No vendor shall permit seepage or leakage of water or fluids from any part of their space into the public areas or other vendors’ spaces.
Children under 14 years of age must be supervised by an adult at the Market.
Vendors may not bring live animals (for sale or otherwise) onto Market property without advance permission from the Market Board, except as provided by State or Federal laws (i.e. hearing, guide and service animals).
Vendors are responsible for the individual safeguarding of their products, supplies and money. The Market Manager or Town of Jonesborough is not responsible for loss or theft.
Vendor (lessee), by signing the Vendor Application, agrees to protect and hold the Market Committee (lessor) and the Town of Jonesborough harmless and to indemnify the lessor from any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, judgments and recoveries for or on account of damage, theft or injury (including death) to property or person occurring as a result of lessee’s use of the leased property and any other cause whatsoever.

7. Vendor Privacy

Lists of vendor names and addresses will not be given out without the prior consent of individual vendors.

III. Market Manager and Board Member Contact Information:

2009 Market Manager: Karen Childress

213 E Main St, Jonesborough, TN37659

Home:753-4744

Cell: 571-2235

Email:

2009 Board Members (any of whom may serve as Manager alternates):

Heather Gilreath

753-2717,

Curtis Buchanan

753-5160,

Heather Halsey

202-5461,

Dan Haynes

913-2227,

Melinda Copp

791-3819,

Jonesborough Farmers’ Market

Held Saturdays May 24- October 31

Library Parking Lot, Sabine Drive

LOCAL PRODUCTS ONLY – VENDORS MUST BE PRODUCERS

2009 Vendor Application

Name(s): ______

Farm or Business Name:______

Mailing Address: ______

Location/Address of Farm: ______

Home Phone: ______

Work Phone: ______

Cell phone:______

E-mail Address:______

Best time/way to contact:______

Your Featured Products (Fruits; vegetables; plants; Processed Foods*; Crafts*; Meats*; Dairy*, Eggs*, Baked Goods*; Other *see below): ______

Other Products offered: ______

Please describe your growing methods: traditional (use chemical fertilizers and pesticides), USDA certified organic, Certified Naturally Grown, other: ______

Do you have any certifications? Please list them:

______

*Compliance with all Health Department and Department of Agriculture guidelines and restrictions is the sole responsibility of the vendor.

*All meat and dairy product inspections are the responsibility of the vendor.

*The collection and filing of all related taxes is the responsibility of the vendor.

*Space for craft sales at the market is limited and juried. Please see the rules of operation.

Fees: All fees are non-refundable and must be paid in full with this application before selling begins.

______$50.00 Full Season (May-October)

______$15.00Monthly Rate (for any 4-week period)

Starting Date: ______

Ending Date: ______

______$5.00Daily Market Fee

*Vendors paying the $50 season fee have the option of a reserved location until 7:45am and of participation in the Tuesday afternoon online Market through jonesborough.locallygrown.net

$______Total Enclosed

I have read and agree to abide by all of the policies and rules set forth in the Market Bylaws.

I understand the local produce and producer-vendor requirement

I understand the special market dates: no market the first full weekend in October and special rules for vendors on Memorial Day weekend (all details in Rules of Operations) and Jonesborough Days (July 4th weekend).

I understand the voluntary collection for musicians.

Signature: ______

Date: ______

Turn in completed form (with payment) to:

Karen Childress 213 E. Main St, Jonesborough, TN 37659

Questions? 753-4744, 571-2235,