In an effort to provide our shoppers with access to a wide assortment of California grown, farm fresh produce, and in keeping with the original intent of a certified farmers market, we do not provide space for crafts or other types of merchants, or provide space for business or product promotion.

FARMERS MARKETS: California Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFM) are reserved for certified agricultural producers only. Non-certified producers or agricultural/produce merchants are not authorized to participate in a certified farmers’ market, per the Direct Marketing Rules.
Please check your local county agricultural department for requirements & restrictions.

Certified Grower

A Certified Grower is a person who owns the land, or has a valid lease agreement with the owner of the property in California where the produce or animal products are cultivated (according to the state’s Agricultural Department Rules and Guidelines and the Direct Marketing Guidelines, the governing documents for CFMs). This means a grower must care for a crop from seed to harvest, certifying the crop with his/her local agricultural department, and then selling the produce in a farmers’ market or produce stand according to the Direct Marketing Guidelines.

Backyard Farmer

A Backyard Farmer is a homeowner (not a renter) with, for example, a fruit tree in their backyard who wants to sell that fruit in a farmers’ market. This homeowner is still required to follow the same procedures as a farmer to become a certified grower. The homeowner will receive an Agricultural Certificate issued by their county agricultural department which enables them to sell their backyard fruit at a CFM and operate under the Direct Marketing Program. If you are a renter of a property looking to sell products grown in your backyard, you will need to provide a memorandum of understanding between you and the property owner to the county agricultural department to initiate the process of certification.

Agricultural Merchant

An Agricultural Merchant is one that buys their product and then re-sells it, for example, in a store, or perhaps a flea market, and in some cases, a farmers’ market This could be nursery plants in ornamental pots, or a fruit and vegetable merchant who has purchased produce at a produce mart, or from another whole seller, or from a farmer. This is unregulated produce and unassociated with the Direct Market Program and defeats the purpose of a CFM impacting the small California farmer.

Wait List

If the market is at capacity there may be an opportunity to apply to the organization’s waitlist.

NOTE: We only engage and/or accept application from the certificate holder on the Certified Producers Certificate (CPC) and require direct communication with that grower to consider that farms participation.
If you meet the above criteria, and your product is one that meets the needs of the farmers market, we encourage you to apply! Please contact us at mnpfarmersmarket@gmail.com.