The purpose of the National Farmers Market Survey is to develop a current profile of the farmers market industry. The survey will produce information needed to:

• document the importance of farmers markets as a source of farm-based income
• identify recent changes in product mix and market performance
• determine the primary motivators for farmers market patronage
• better understand the farmers market’s promotional and administrative practices, and
• uncover major operational challenges facing farmers market managers

In order to accurately portray the current state of the farmers market industry in the U.S., we are hoping to convince as many market managers as possible to complete this survey. We have developed the Web-based survey so that next year the 2006 respondents will be able to recall and update the information they provide this year. This will allow us to efficiently and more scientifically assess industry trends.