Sell with us!
Become a Farmers Market Vendor
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Rules and Regs
Make sure you are qualified and certified to sell at the market! We don’t have many restrictions, but there are some types of businesses we don’t allow at the market. Find out below if your business qualifies and what licensing and certification you’ll need to sell at the different markets.
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Apply and Get Scheduled
Get on our calendar so that we can guarantee you a space. Scheduling also ensures that we can tell customers that you will be there!
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Join us at the market!
Once you’re on the calendar, make sure you have the important times, locations, and other information you need to succeed!
Vendor FAQ
Do you qualify to be a vendor?
We’re focused on local agriculture! If you grow your own fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, eggs, flowers, nursery plants, honey, dairy, or forestry products, we’d love to have you at the market! Fruit and vegetable re-sellers are also welcome, with a few exceptions. We also welcome cottage food vendors and locally made craft vendors, though space is limited for these types of businesses, and rules vary with each market. If you have a food truck, please contact us to schedule your spot at the market. Finally, we also like to feature other complementary local business, so if you’re a local business or nonprofit please contact us so we can find a way to work together. Rules vary slightly between markets, so contact the market manager of the market you’re interested in if you have questions.
Businesses we don’t currently accept
Because of our local focus, there are a few kinds of businesses we aren’t currently accepting as vendors at our market. National brands and franchises, multi-level marketing businesses or product re-sellers, and non-agricultural businesses from out of state are currently not allowed at our markets. If you’re not sure whether or not your business is allowed at the market, please contact the market manager at the market you’re interested in for more specifics. And most importantly, our market managers have the final say and reserve the right to refuse any vendor.
What all of our vendors need
Regardless of the type of business you have, there are a few requirements that apply to all of our vendors. First, all vendors are responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. All vendors will need to get a Nevada State Business License (apply online at the NV Secretary of State Website) and register with the Nevada state department of taxation to collect sales tax (online here, EVEN IF YOU DON’T NEED TO COLLECT SALES TAX ON YOUR PRODUCTS). You don’t need a City of Elko business license, but if you have an Elko address, a City business license can reduce some market fees. Vendors are also responsible for bringing their own, tables, tents, signs, and other booth equipment.
Arriving at the Market
Once you’ve been approved to sell at the market, be sure to follow these guidelines for a successful Market experience:
Show up 1 hour early for setup. Customers always arrive a bit early, so we need all vendor vehicles to be safely parked by the time customers arrive. Also, the market manager may turn you away if you arrive with less than 30 minutes before the market start time.
Bring your own booth display. Right now, vendors need to bring their own tables to sell from. We also recommend a 10 foot by 10 foot pop-up canopy for shade, and you will need to bring weights to keep the canopy secured in the wind. If you need a bigger booth than 10x10, ask your market manager first! It’s ok at most markets, but sometimes there are space constraints. We also recommend a sign with your business name!
Be prepared to accept payment and give change! Our customers tend to use cash, cards, Apple Pay/Google Pay, Venmo, and even more payment types, so you’ll have more transactions if you accept multiple payment methods. Also, make sure to arrive with some change for cash transactions!
Be prepared to stand, and smile! It might not seem like a lot, but if you’re able, standing and smiling at your booth creates a welcoming atmosphere that will bring customers in and help you sell more of your products at the market!
Fruit, vegetable, cut flowers, honey, and egg vendors
If you’re planning to sell fresh produce, cut flowers, honey, and/or eggs that you are growing/raising yourself, you will need a Nevada Producer Certificate. The application process is online at the Nevada Department of Agriculture website (link here) and includes a small fee. Please read all of the available information, especially if you are selling eggs, so you understand the requirements and limitations of the certification.
Cottage food vendors
Cottage Food vendors are vendors selling baked goods, jams and jellies, dried fruits and herbs, and a few other types of foods. Nevada requires a Cottage Food License for businesses selling less than $35,000 in cottage foods annually. If you’re interested in selling Cottage Foods at a farmers market, please read all of the cottage foods guidance (available here) and ensure you are complying with labeling requirements as well. Some of the markets have limited space available for cottage food vendors, so check with the appropriate market manager to get on the calendar. Please note that acidified foods such as pickles, salsa and chutney fall under a different license, the Craft Food license, which requires food safety training and testing. Find more information about starting a craft foods operation here.
Nursery plant vendors
If you would like to sell nursery plants/starts at the market, you will need a nursery license from the Nevada Department of Agriculture. There is a license fee, though it is reduced and/or waived for smaller businesses. Be sure to read all of the information about applying for a nursery license at the Nevada Department of Agriculture website (FAQ here).
Elko Farmers Market-specific rules
City of Elko regulations require that Elko farmers markets maintain at least half of our vendors as farmer-vendors, so we have limited space for cottage food vendors, craft vendors, and other non-farmer vendors. The normal vendor fee is $34.50 per event (for each Farmers Market). This fee is waived for “Farmed Food Vendors,” or farmers selling food products they have raised themselves. For additional questions contact Market Manager Dan at 573-337-4150.
Meat vendors
There are two ways to sell meat products at the market. If you are planning on selling “Custom-Cut Meat” or “Box Beef,” you are able to sell whole animals or shares at the market and/or deliver finished products to customers, but you cannot sell individual cuts or finished meat products at the market unless you go through the USDA inspection process. If you are planning to sell individual retail cuts or finished meat products, your meat products must be processed in a USDA-inspected facility. For more on this, check out the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network, the USDA website, and ask our existing vendors!
Locally made crafts vendors
ElkoGrown markets are excited to feature locally made items from local artisans and craftspeople. Local regulations limit the number of craft vendors we can feature at some markets, so check with the appropriate market manager about scheduling. Craft vendors will need a state business license and sales tax registration like our other vendors, and market-specific rules apply (see below).
Lamoille Farmers Market-specific rules
The Lamoille Farmers Market aims to showcase Nevada agriculture, so preference will be given to food and nonfood vendors that produce or use Nevada agricultural products—especially those from Elko County or neighboring counties. There are some limitations on the numbers of each type of vendor at the Lamoille Farmers Market, based on the overall number of vendors available and other considerations. Vendor fees are $35 per event, or $125 for the full season (5 markets). If you would like more information about being a vendor at the Lamoille Farmers Market, please contact Market Manager Suzanne at 512-923-3313, or apply using this form specific to the Lamoille Farmers Market.
Produce re-sellers
To sell produce (fresh fruits and vegetables) that you did not grow yourself, you will need to register with the Nevada Department of Agriculture for a Produce Vendor Certificate. This is similar to the Producer Certificate, with an online application process (link here) that includes a small fee. If you already have or are planning to get a Producer Certificate, then you have the option to include the Produce Vendor certification in the Producer certificate for no extra cost.
Food trucks
If you have a fully licensed and inspected food truck, we’d love to have you at the market! You will need to contact the market manager for the market you’re hoping to attend so they will know you are coming and can ensure there is adequate space for you to park safely.
Spring Creek Evening Market-specific rules
At the Spring Creek Evening Market we want to provide a venue for locally made! The Spring Creek Market is open to all of the same types of vendors as all the other markets, and we aim to feature local craftspeople as a staple of the market. Vendor fee TBD.
Interested in selling at the Farmers Market? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!
Come sell with us!
I'm approved for the market. What now?
When do I need to arrive at the market?
It’s best to show up an hour before the farmers market start time for setup. Customers always arrive early, so for safety reasons vendors will lose their spot if they do not arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the market start time!!! Ensure that you are scheduled for a market date prior to arriving. Market managers reserve the right to refuse a vendor for any reason, including showing up unscheduled. Finally, have a plan to remain at the market for the full time, even if you sell out. We can’t promise that you will be able to pack up and leave early.
What do I need to bring?
Vendors need to bring their own tables, stands, signs, and any other decor and display items for their booth. And since we can’t promise that you will be in the shade, we recommend bringing a pop-up tent (10’x10’ or 10’x20’) with weights to keep the tent secured. Have a plan for taking everything out of your vehicle or trailer that you’ll need for the market. You may need to park your vehicle a long distance from your booth.
Tips for Success
Smile! It’s a simple thing, but smiling tells customers that you’re engaged, welcoming, and ready to do business!
Stand, don’t sit. If you’re able to stand, make sure you’re standing at your booth. Sitting down at the booth sends the wrong signals to potential customers.
“Pile it high!” Especially if you’re selling food items, make sure your display looks full by restocking or moving items into smaller containers to show abundance. Customers will respond!