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Farmers Market Programs

Each year, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) partners with Farm Credit to help the state’s farmers markets through the Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program and Arkansas Farmers Market Bag Program. These programs are administered by the Department and sponsored by Farm Credit to help promote local community-based farmers markets with multiple vendors.

Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program

The Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program, which is administered by the Department and sponsored by Farm Credit, continues to support local farmers markets by increasing awareness and providing funding assistance to help these markets serve their communities as consumer interest in locally grown and made products continues to increase.

Farmers markets interested in participating must be a member of the Arkansas Grown and Arkansas Made branding programs.

The program offers funding for a range of promotional activities designed to boost community and regional engagement at farmers markets. Eligible items for funding include:

  • Signage: Displaying names, seasons, operating hours, and locations of participating markets
  • Local Advertising: Traditional methods like print and radio ads to spread awareness
  • Social Media Campaigns: Engaging digital strategies to reach a wider audience
  • The program will provide cost share assistance for 75% up to $575.

The following criteria is required for application:

  • A detailed explanation of the proposed use of the funds.
  • An itemized budget identifying other funding sources.
  • A copy of the proposed promotion or signage design.
  • Farm Credit and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture logos included on all promotion designs.
  • Farm Credit and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture mentioned in all broadcast commercials.

Farmers Market Bags

As an added offering for local farmers markets, the Department and Farm Credit also partner to produce reusable paper shopping bags at greatly reduced rates for purchase by community-based farmers markets. This program enables farmers markets to provide convenient, high-quality shopping bags for consumers. The application period will open again in 2026.

Resources

Program Contact: Beth Moore
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (501) 539-4027