Tips For Being a Successful Farmers Market Vendor

[@nathansummers550]

Just want to say hope your read this but you are the reason why I want to have my own farm and wish you would post every other day. Because I enjoy your videos so much ☺️

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Thank you Nathan. I was hoping someone would learn something from this video and I got the impression from many of the comments that many in my audience did not care to hear what I had to say. I started this channel to help other small farmers and comments like yours mean the world to me.

[@1212Ls]

I enjoy hearing what you have to say Pete! I led a team of about 15 Pre-covid and I was always #1 is sales, they would complain and moan that I had this or that, like it was magic. It's not! Knowing your products, being able to communicate, and engage with people. I always made the suggestion to go visit a Subway restaurant and a Tiffany and Company in the day. How do they make you feel? How do they welcome you? Where do you feel valued and like you are important. Customers will not always remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel. Doesn't matter what you are selling or what industry.💯

[@isaacjcooper]

Pete you motivated me to start shopping at my local farmers market a few months ago and it has been life changing. The food and people are just awesome!

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

That's great! Farmers markets have such a positive atmosphere, and that's a tough thing to find these days.

[@jonathanking3497]

The Ithaca farmer's market should point all vendors to this video as an educational video. Every vendor could benefit from your advice.

[@petermaguire6280]

Keep smiling Pete, makes my day to see you so enthused with what you and Hilary do

[@brentkreinop489]

Before their other businesses took off and started demanding more of their time, my mom and stepfather would sell dolls at various local arts and crafts fairs. One very hot summer day, they brought my grandparents with them to the sales booth. My grandmother had some crock pots of chili that she was selling along with cans of soda. My grandfather, being a preacher turned car salesman, began hocking that chili. By the end of the day he was touting it as the best chili in three states. The sno-cone sales booth next door was consistently tossing the evil eye their direction all afternoon. Did I mention that it was a very hot summer day? They ran out of chili about three hours in, and ran out of soda twice (I made a grocery run halfway through the afternoon for them). The sno-cone booth failed to sell much at all until they ran out of chili. Every time you post a market video, that afternoon comes to mind. Only my grandfather could sell hot chili on a humid, 105F afternoon :)

[@brianwhitmore4705]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head! I'm guilty of 2 bad habits at market, I sometimes surf my phone when it gets slow and I do sit in a chair (I have a degenerating hip that needs replacement so I simply cannot stand for long periods of time). Last week I brought a small woodworking bench to market and a basic set of hand tools and started a project during the slow times. It got a few people that never were interested in my products (microgreens and heirloom produce) before to stop and begin a conversation. Once they started talking to me, most of them made a purchase. I wasn't surfing my phone, got something accomplished, and gained a few new customers. Who knew? Thank you for this video, you confirmed I was doing a few things right and got me to evaluate my shortcomings. Now I think I need to purchase a taller chair ( still have to sit more because of the hip).

[@herbhouston5378]

Pete, I love your videos! What you provide your customers is much more than quality meat and eggs... It's knowledge... and sensitivity... and a "realness" about you. You have a genuine quality of caring for your customers, for your products, for your farm, for yourself and family. That comes through in every video I watch. You're a man secure in who he is... and that shows in everything you do. The life you live is a perfect fit for who you are.

[@ruthmeow4262]

I always wondered about having videos of the animals just living the life at the farm playing on a screen at the market.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

I love your market Mr. Pete! Whoever designed it knew exactly what they were doing.

[@jackyeakey6905]

Just wanted to congratulate you you did an excellent job in in explaining salesmanship that's what I was taught to just wanted to give you a pat on the back I know you get a lot of negativity so here's something positive

[@BillTheTractorMan]

Absolutely Pete, you hit the nail on the head. It seems a lot of people in my area here really love the back story, they want to "see" and "Feel" where their items come from. Some sellers at the market here have pictures on a tack board they bring with them, another lady has a digital picture frame that rotates through pictures she has taken on her farm in the last week, her customers like to look at the pictures and see the updates. Most of the younger folks will look on Facebook or Instagram. The older folks who attend the market like to see the pictures and hear the stories in person. We have a more primarily older population than it looks like you have.

[@jonathanking3497]

When I was a kid, local farmers had roadside stands on their property. We would go to the same farmer for sweet corn and other vegetables. It was great to talk with the farmer

[@markstelson8582]

Have good products, reasonable prices and be nice! That's all you need.

[@puskabeuford8667]

Your advice and tips transcend farming and farmer's markets, I think. Valuable tips for just being a good, quality person. 👍🦅🇺🇸

[@jasonbice1103]

I enjoy when you go to market, seeing all the different people coming together like a community.

[@home-powersystems7782]

I love it when you walk around because I am a people watcher and you have such great crowds with lots of flair about them. Thanks for your hard work...no the vids, Hah.

[@davidhayden6724]

Very enjoyable video Pete. Thank you so much for taking us along for market day.

[@ClearlyBlissful]

Keep up the great work Pete. You’re a bright light in a crazy world. 😃

[@1zelcat]

Words of wisdom. Great insight about your customer base and how to interact with them.

[@davidschlecht3016]

Pete, this video shows the value of being honest and be able to listen to establish a bond between the customer and yourself.This will be your success.

[@marywillsussman4321]

I buy a majority of my produce and fruit from local farmers and farm stands that only sell local produce(their own or other farmers). I acknowledge to the customers the farmer whose product is featured in my Good Things in Jars. I really enjoy getting to know fellow farmers and what they produce. You are spot on Pete about the tips on being successful at the market. But thanks for reminding me of what is important!

[@Ray-yl5my]

I love the Farmers Market Videos, we live in Western New York now and are surrounded by small farms. There are honor stands on the roads we travel and even some bigger co-op type farm stores that sell great local fruits and vegetables. When we lived in California we would go every Sunday to the local market. We learned about the different kinds of avocados and when they were in season, we looked forward to the first Cara Cara oranges of the season and were sad when the last of the seasons Fuentes (avocado) were sold. We knew that summer strawberries were different than winter strawberries. Now it is peaches and apples, sweet corn and tomatoes at the stands. The food is great but I do miss talking to and learning from the farmers.

[@a737mech]

I am about to retire . Have 2 acres I’m going to try to homestead and Later AG and farm. You are my inspiration. Thanks

[@simonhimself1]

I do markets in GA and TN with my bakery. These tips are so helpful!

[@er1073]

Honesty in any business is the best way to be when you are feeding people it is on a more personal basis. You and people that show up at the farmers market are trusted and have that reputation. I noticed that this farmers market has been there since 1973 almost 70 years states a lot about the people in this area of NYS. Thank you Pete for sharing your humble opinions and professionalism that means more these days than ever before. Ed

[@paulkoontz6095]

I wish we had a farmers market near us. The local state park has one but no meat farmers come. Most farmers near me want to sell by quarter, half or whole. Im by myself now and don't need that. Keep up the great videos it reminds me of our farm when I was younger.

[@Mtbambeno]

Just an idea but find some friends or neighbors that would go in together to buy a partial beef or hog.

[@marythibault9032]

Thanks for covering this topic, you are spot on. Know your customer

[@stephendixon4619]

Love your small farm Sundays.

[@pamelamercado6902]

Great job explaining to those who may not have started their market adventure Even old dogs can learn something new now and then.

[@jeannedigennaro6484]

I must visit thus market the next time we visit the Fingerlakes/ Ithaca area. Such gorgeous country.

[@mokpot]

I learn something from every video Pete.

[@chuckhorner3758]

Pete, this was superb. Your thoughts and ideas transcend just small farm marketing, but are equally applicable to almost every business endeavor. Twenty years in the IT business validated these concepts/strategies repeatedly.

[@pixaxeprepper384]

Another enjoyable video of the market. Added features are good advice and experience for others. It must be long day to prepare ahead of time, drive there, set up, being a sales associate, janitor, money exchange or electronic commerce, cooking advice, and positive attitude. Hope many who watch take you advice Pete. BTW, that tractor exhaust muffler of noise and carbon release is important in many ways. The neighbors are not mad, the pressure from exhaust valve to atmosphere is released on a constant flow. Mumbo jumbo, but Glad you tightened that clamp.

[@LimestoneCoastCustoms]

Pete, You are soooo spot on with all this but it's not just at farmers markets. When I ran my business, it started with me designing, manufacturing & sell specialist tools for coach building. I attended swap meets & sold a lot through them, but on line too! One of the biggest bonus's I had over anyone else was I ran my own workshop, so I knew what worked & what didn't. I always offered free "expert" advice, in fact I use to give away a DVD on how to use one of my best selling tools so that became an "over deliver" at the point of sale (that DVD would run in the background too which saved me explaining a lot especially when I got busy) but by far over everything was the fact I was genuine in any advice & always showed my passion for what I did. I rarely did any advertising, customers came to me (usually by word of mouth, in fact my workshop with my staff was always kept busy from just having a good reputation. I really did underestimate the power "the talk on the street" when it came to what I did in the early days. I hate selling but being passionate about what you do certainly shows through in any field. Another great video that honestly really makes me want to go & try something else again. It's hard work but I loved being self employed. Cheers

[@trytobetheballpeople]

I think I would wear a New York college shirt on market day. Yes, use active listening skills when talking with customer. One example is: Sum up what the customer says and repeat that back to the customer in a few words, then they know you are listening to them! Very good info Pete!

[@KCFarms]

GO BLUE!!!! Good Video

[@joekara]

Is there a way to teleport from Australia? Keep showing us the good stuff Pete 😉

[@LimestoneCoastCustoms]

🤣🤣 yeah & it's Monday here too! 😁

[@charlenepartlow7880]

Hey Pete ! You make our day with your informativev videos every single time you put one out there for us. You are so calming and in these very difficult time it's great to have you and dear Hilary with us. We love your humor and your peaceful delivery ...werevso happy for you deciding to change up your life and go to just farming. You are a w/o fearful inspiration. Thanks Pete ! 👍

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Thank you Charlene!!

[@skirtedgalleons]

Very good video! As a person who buys much of my produce and some meat at my local farmers' market, your advice seems right on (from the customer's perspective). I enjoy talking to the farmers and catching up (quickly, so I'm not holding up the line). I ask them about the farm, their work, what's going well on the farm. I buy from farmers' markets because I want to see the person who grows my food. It's very intimate, even if it is a fleeting exchange. And I gotta say, that Cambodian food sign catches my eye every single video. I'd love a video where the Cambodian chef uses your meat to make something!

[@RufGaming55]

Thought I only followed you cause your an awesome gamer but it’s even better seeing the Michigan shirt

[@sfcdjday]

Hi Pete, Another great video, also speaking about food I just thought of a joke I heard when I was a kid. I hope you enjoy it and keep up the great work! Did you hear about the farmer that got in trouble by the USDA for feeding round bales? The cows were not getting a square meal! Lol

[@er1073]

sounds like a Pete joke... :-)

[@DrPhail]

Love the Market videos more than any others. Keep 'em coming!

[@nixer8984]

You are just such an genuinely honest person and a joy to watch. I am so glad I stumbled upon you, your wonderful family and farm, and of course, this channel.

[@fion1flatout]

What a lovely building, like being outdoors and indoors at the same time

[@JP-bv7bf]

I just love a good farmers market. I can see you would get great satisfaction with being able to sell what you grow. Well done. I am sure you encourage a great number of people.🇨🇦

[@juliannrowland6552]

What an awesome vidoe with great tips and advise. Thank you so much.

[@richardwilliams4767]

It would be fun to feature some of your fellow farm vendors once in awhile in your video. Enjoy your Sunday.

[@gregorysubero2832]

Nice idea!!!

[@jonathanking3497]

Pete is a great market personality. The Ithaca market should pay him to do a series of vendor highlight videos.

[@ashwilly17]

Absolute top quality advice!

[@margaretcurry8414]

i stumbled on this channel and have been Binge Watching. Thank you for taking the time out of your happy busy life to share with us. My uncle had a farm in Michigan and when I was a youngster, my sister and I spent 3 weeks each year in the summer on the farm. Brings back good memories and good smells. Yup even the cow paddies !!!

[@mmatrainee]

"were not in Michigan, Sir" is the best lyrics I've heard.

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

That was brilliant!

[@nicholaslussier8469]

Always love watching your videos!!

[@ritabrunetti381]

Hello Peter, great video. Love when you talk about a subject you love... working at the farmer's market. Be well.

[@homertheconqueror2574]

Great video Pete. Thank you for all you do.

[@jbizzletx3420]

Good Sunday morning pete!!! Glad your on!! Sad to see what's happening in Louisiana!! Preying for Louisiana!!! Love your videos Pete!!!

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Pete :) well done on topic of communication skills plus market sales too and do fully understand too!

[@davewallace.8303]

Pete, you’ve GOT to change your shirts if you don’t want to turn EVERYONES stomach! LOL, I’m a Buckeye Fan tho so I’m a BIT biased ;)

[@bruceg5729]

People must send him shirts because he had buckeyes on the other day LSU all different kinds go bucks

[@suttonbogedain5874]

Don't feel bad. I was born in Pontiac, MI while Dad was in grad school at U of M. Then we moved to Columbus where he did more post-grad work. My younger brother was born there. We settled in Canton. Boy, was I out of place. One more thing. My dad was friends with both Woodie Hayes and Bo Schembechler. Go Team! wherever you are.

[@davewallace.8303]

@@suttonbogedain5874 I love the rivalry! I actually married my wife before I learned she was a Meeeeeechigan fan and we live in Ohio now! When we lived in Virginia, we would fly a divided flag, OSU/UofM. I now “Allow” her to wear her Michigan crap one day a year… you guessed it…ONLY DURING “THE GAME”. LOL!! On a side note, I do love vacationing in the north of Mich, and the U.P. Go BUCKS!!

[@suttonbogedain5874]

@@davewallace.8303 rofl

[@AdamMuhle]

@@bruceg5729 He invited people to send shirts in a video, probably about 2 months ago.

[@johnmagana1]

fantastic video, thanks Pete

[@trytobetheballpeople]

I suggest to my boys when selling to not keep there head down looking at their phone all the time. Smile and greet the customers as they walk buy. You are there to sell (make money) not to play on your phone. Otherwise the customers will see your disinterest in what you are doing. Wine bottle guy at 5:30.

[@glengillis7542]

Lots of nice views at the market. Just looking. Good sales info. The sellers at our farmers market could use a good viewing and leaning from this video. Your so easy to learn from Pete. Im as a buyer are going to look more into the seller that we are buying from.

[@ingalukianova6654]

Happy to see you Pete!

[@ladygypsysoul122]

Great point always as a sale person to learn.

[@grantguy8933]

This is great advice on general sales and negotiation dealings. 👍 a wiseman’s advice distilled from years of accumulated experiences is highly helpful.

[@jamescaywood7338]

Pete, I truly appreciate this video. As others have said, your ability to communicate on a level that all backgrounds and lifestyles of people can understand. Were approaching our first year at our farm and are still learning the basics as first generation farmers and as were going along our journey, the farmers market is in our near future. Your points in this video have been so helpful to give confidence to get going!

[@skoolieunplugged]

loved this walk through video

[@elainecrawford6891]

Thank you for sharing your people skills and wisdom with us, Pete. Always appreciated! 👍♥️😎

[@BankBarnMeats]

When not set up at a Farmers Market I enjoy visiting other markets to see how they are set up. The market you are at looks like a dream! Great video and information.

[@janetortega661]

Hi Pete being in sales and customer service all my life I so agree and understand everything you say and stand for.

[@swayme67]

Please know you are loved!

[@surobhisaikia7730]

I enjoy your interactions with people .. so please mix them up along with your valuable advice

[@griznog]

This video is an example of the kind of content that should be celebrated on KZbin. Thanks for sharing your experience and insight on the thing you are passionate about, it is greatly appreciated. Even though I'll likely never sell anything at a farmers market, this was packed with plenty of useful stuff to know that is broadly applicable.

[@trytobetheballpeople]

I love market day!

[@rancancookcanoy9768]

Pete, really enjoy your videos and the information you are passing along. Have a blessed Sunday.

[@bay9876]

You better believe it I would be joking with you if I was shopping at your booth.Can't help myself. Great opportunity for some laughs and merriment while shopping

[@samanthamonaghan7579]

Pete your sales / merchandising styles reminds me of when I used to help people be productive during the day, by ensuring I did what I could do the help them get a good nights sleep within a person's budget. A side table lamp or an entire house all the same to me.

[@gardeningperth]

Love your market videos!

[@davidrobertson606]

The farmers market near us is a sales place like a small grocery store mostly. Went this weekend all venders had the same blue barriers from the same supplier in the same box. They were also for sale in the local grocery store for less. Not all farmers markets are like yours where you must produce it to sell it. Nice concept; but I expect your market is an exception. You are correct most customers are upper middle class.

[@rough-hewnhomestead5737]

You are so very inspiring! Great tips for selling at market. God bless!

[@kathleendailey347]

This is such a needed video! I value you this so much, reading people and how to handle them is always my favorite part and it was nice to be able to relate to that and gives me encouragement start at a market!

[@HisWayHomestead]

great tips! great video, thanks Pete!!!

[@gerryglaser1521]

I have been in high ticket equipment sales for 30 years. This is outstanding stuff. "Trusted Advisor" Thanks for providing the opening of my next meeting presentation

[@petenangelcastro361]

We have a very small farmers market here in San Angelo Texas. But I do support them . I have never seen meat bring sold. I'll head to Fort Worth . I hear they have a huge one. I'll let you know what I find. Side note. Hilary has such a sweet nature and your blue eyes are stunning. My husband Pete has deep brown eyes. Angela

[@clevjam]

Hey Pete, That was an interesting view of people spending their day on a Saturday in New York. My favorite part was the video portion of the old farmer that worked his ass off all his life.. sleeping in a chair.

[@WendyDarling-b8g]

So very helpful! WOW! 🎉

[@markdiulio2245]

Great video very good lessons to learn

[@AbidAli-bv2gl]

Yes, Great video

[@redlinecollectibles]

Consistent & predictable products delivered with a flare for fun backed with bullet proof integrity = SUCCESS!

[@MissMultiConsole]

It looks so lively and colourful there i would love to visit!

[@FuerstenbergE]

Great perspectives Pete!!!

[@RobertJones-ey9qz]

Some very good information there. Thank you

[@bartendersunny1]

I really enjoy the info you share. You answer tons of questions I didn't even know I had!

[@nancycolbert2703]

You are a wonderful ambassador for the Ithaca Farmers Market. I live in London Ontario Canada and want to shop there.

[@jeffharvey6768]

Love your farm market videos.... now about that t-shirt you were wearing..... lol.... I'm with David W. below.

[@minutemanmac]

Very nice insight Pete. We just do direct sales at this point (Eggs, Maple products, etc) and are looking at getting into our local farmers market scene as I look to transition from my LEO job into full time farming over the next 5 or so years . The majority of our customers are pretty typical always have lived in the area type of people, but COVID brought a lot of "flatlandahs" to the area as they went to move out of the urban areas. I found that they really wanted to know the back story of our products, especially the eggs...they are very interested in what the chickens do all day, and love to see pictures of them.

[@jeffreyjohnson8212]

Some sage advice for any business…thanks for making this!

[@jdetke]

nice shirt! I like that you rotate among the colleges.

[@TwoTreesFarm]

10:25 "Be alert. There's no sitting in the back of the booth in a lawn chair..." Someone should tell that to Mr. Sleepy at 1:27 lol

[@marythibault9032]

Farmers markets are not just a place to get fresh produce or farm to table products it's an experience.

[@kingnickle002]

I love your videos! Learn so much from them. Would love to watch more of your educational videos (for any topic). Keep up the good work!

[@jamesmorrison1884]

Hello Pete hope you have a good day.

[@pal6598]

Agree, quick to hear, slow to speak. Book of James talks about this.