Careers, Farmers' Market Manager

1) What does a typical day for a farmers’ market manager look like? 

Well, it starts out in the morning when I wake up. Early. Like 4 something in the morning. Then I pack my big backpack with my trusty clipboard and bike downtown under the Jones Falls Expressway by Saratoga street.  There are usually a few early-bird farmers already setting up for the day’s market. I say a few hellos and then start to close off the streets we have a permit to use for the market. The rest of set-up involves moving tables and tents, and greeting vendors and market staff as they arrive. Once the market begins at 7:00 am I’ll either be staffing our welcome tent, or floating around the market engaging with vendors and customers. I receive a lot of feedback, opinions and concerns throughout the course of the market so it’s helpful to keep notes. Near the end of the market I usually do a little shopping to get my groceries for the week. When the market closes for the day at noon, I’ll work with gleaners, who pick up unsold produce to distribute to folks who need it, and take down everything we set up in the morning. I’ll then ride my bike home with a much heavier backpack.

2) Were you always interested in farmers’ markets? How’d you get started managing that Baltimore Farmers’ Market?

My interest in farmers’ markets came out of cooking in a restaurant here in Baltimore. The restaurant unfortunately no longer exists but the appreciation for local food it instilled in me remains. When the opportunity arose to work assisting with the market, I jumped. That was 5 years ago and since then I’ve really come to appreciate the farmers’ market community and look forward to the market every weekend.

3) What’s the yummiest and/or coolest thing you’ve ever seen a farmer or vendor bring to the market?

Some of the fresh baked pastries are really hard not to claim as the yummiest, but I’d have to say the fried mushrooms with feta cheese can’t be beat. I also love it when farms bring something they grew that I have never seen before.

4) Do you have a favorite part of the market? Or a favorite time of the year that the market happens?

Opening day for the market in Spring has got to be my favorite time. Everyone is just so happy to be back after a long winter, including me. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all.

5) What’s the hardest part of managing the market for you?

I still struggle with trying to make everyone happy. I know it’s not realistic and so I’m really just stressing myself out because of it. There are a lot of different people who have a stake in the market: vendors, customers and partners. They all have different opinions on what would make the market best. My job is to hear all these opinions and make the best decisions for the market as a whole.

6) Outside of running the market, what are some of your hobbies in Baltimore?

I really enjoy the nature Baltimore City has to offer. I gamify nature with hobbies such as fishing and foraging, where I challenge myself to find cool stuff in the rivers and in the woods.

7) Do you see your hobbies overlapping with the market?

No, I’ve found it best to keep my job and my hobbies separate.

8) Do you have any hopes or dreams for the future of the Baltimore farmers’ market?

I would love to have the market be a more accurate reflection of the City, and include more Baltimore based vendors in all of our vending categories.

9) Do you have a favorite item(s) that you like to get at the market?

• I like to get big sacks of pastries that I can eat for the rest of the day.
• I like to get at least one coffee drink.
• I like to get fresh mushrooms and ramps.
• I like to get duck eggs.