Eighty-eight growers attended a meeting in Walker County this past week to plan for the Battlefield Farmers Market.

The attendees were given printed guidelines and standards for all aspects of the market, from who can sell to the structure of the market’s executive board.

David Matteson of the Walker County Young Farmers Association said the market will be held each Saturday beginning June 4 at the Ag Center in Rock Spring.

The center is behind the Walker County Civic Center on U.S. 27 North.

The market, which will have space for about 40 booths, will continue each week through October. The hours are will be from 8 a.m. to noon.

Matteson said the market’s executive board plans to establish the market as a limited liability corporation and run it as a co-op. That means essentially the market is owned and operated by the vendors, with each one being an independent contractor.

“Each vendor is required to carry his or her own insurance,” he said. “It’s the best situation for protecting the market and the vendors.”

Vendors are expected come from Walker and surrounding counties.

According to the Battlefield Farmers Market mission statement, the market’s goals are to “foster land stewardship, good health and community interaction” and “provide a foundation for building partnerships among farmers, agriculturists, consumers, and the business community.”

The standards document states that since the market is operated by and for its members, vendors must be the original producers of the items being sold. Sellers of “value-added” products like jellies and sauces must have grown at least one major ingredient of the item.

All sellers must have membership in the co-op, which costs $20 annually. A 10-foot-by-10-foot booth space will cost $10 per week, and yearly booth reservations will be available by lottery for sellers willing to commit to attending 75 percent or more of the markets for the season.

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For more information on the Battlefield Farmers Market, call David Matteson with Walker County Young Farmers at (706) 638-7739.

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The market area will be outdoors but is covered “so weather shouldn’t affect us too much,” Matteson said.

A document prepared by Wendy Crager of the Cotton Mill Farmer’s Market in Carrollton was distributed that outlined state regulations for production, taxes, and permits and licensing.

The document indicated that any processed food vendors, such as those selling jams or salsas, are required to register with U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Processed food recipes must be submitted for approval to The University of Georgia Extension Food Science Department, according to the document.

John Rudeseal of the Georgia Department of Agriculture was at Tuesday’s meeting to answer questions regarding regulations. He is with the department’s consumer protection division, which oversees farmer’s markets throughout the state.

A presentation was given on new skills necessary for direct marketing. It highlighted good practices for both produce growers and craftsmen and artisans.

Matteson said he believes the majority of vendors will be produce growers, with some crafts sellers and possibly dealers of livestock. The market will also be open to home-brewers and winemakers, provided they meet all requirements for legal sale of their products.

According to the market standards document, the market will from time to time have special events such as musical acts and professional chef demonstrations.

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