2021-22

To respond to the impacts of COVID, farmers market allies from Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA), Rural Advancement Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) and NC State University Cooperative Extension established recurring networking and information-sharing calls for farmers market managers. The NC Farmers Market Network name was selected and the USDA awarded Farmers Market Promotion Program grant funding to develop the organization. An interim 9-member Board of Directors was elected; organization bylaws developed and adopted; and NC Articles of Incorporation submitted to officially establish the organization.

2023

NCFMN officially received IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status. A part-time Program Coordinator was hired to develop resources, training, manage network communications, online presence and meetings. Marketing efforts and materials were developed and supported by a part-time Marketing consultant. The network transitioned to a formal membership organization, held the inaugural annual meeting and published the first farmers market census.

2024 +

In 2024 NCFMN is working on growing and engaging its membership and engaging members by coordinating networking and educational opportunities. NCFMN will also initiate other projects as determined by the membership, such as leading efforts towards securing statewide funding for Double SNAP at NC farmers markets (DUNC) and developing an online farmers market manager certificate course.