Good morning,
everyone.
My name is Francis Albright from Emory University.
And I'm honoured to share insights from a recent
study titled Pathways Out of Farmers Markets.
Understand and Preventing and sometime embracing farmer chain.
This research was funded by Sardon Sayya
and carried out through a collaborative partnership among researchers
from Emory University,
Arizona State University,
and Louisiana State University.
The research team from Memory University is headed by Dr.
Hillary King,
and supported by 3 of us,
myself and two other colleagues,
Annie and Isabel.
Here is a quick overview of how this presentation is structured.
I will start with some background about why the study matters.
Then walk through
our methods.
From there,
I will share the key findings,
particularly insights from families who exited the markets.
We will then explore the implications for practise and policy.
And close with some reflections and takeaways
for moving forward.
We know farmers markets are more than just places to buy food.
There are economic engines
and community hubs.
Farmers' markets are essential.
To the sustainability of the local agriculture
and play a vital role in promoting health
and well-being in our communities.
They support small farms,
preserve farmland and help consumers connect directly
with those who produce.
Or rule their foot.
Despite these important roles,
most of them face several challenges,
including vendor turnover
and instability.
Much
of the research has focused on consumer perspectives
and experience.
Why the shop?
And what they want.
There's been far less focus on experiences and decisions
of the farmer vendors themselves.
Our steady therefore flips the lens.
By centering the voices of families,
especially
those who have left.
The markets
for one reason
or the other.
So we asked the question.
What factors influence farmers' decision to exit farmers' markets?
And how do these decisions shape pathways
for adaptation or transition within local food systems?
This question
led us on a deep journey
into farmers' lived experiences.
And we have 3 primary
goals.
First,
to understand why families live.
Second,
explore what they do next.
Where do you go after leaving the markets?
And most importantly,
identify what markets can do to retain farmers
or support transitions in ways that
strengthen the food
system.
The study was conducted in 15 farmers markets
across 6
Southeastern states
are soon in the map.
Louisiana,
Mississippi,
Alabama,
Georgia,
Tennessee,
South Carolina.
As can be seen in the map.
The triangles you see
represents
the 15 markets that participated in the study.
And the dots represent the vendors that vend in these markets.
Of particular
interest is the red dots.
Which represent vendors who used to vend in these markets.
But I've left the markets for one reason
or the other.
In terms of methods.
We used
a mixed qualitative approach.
And this includes
83 in-depth interviews with farmers
and market managers.
24 instances of participant observations in all the participating markets.
We went to the,
to the farmers' markets
on the market days.
Walked the stalls.
Talked with people.
And er
We also review documents from all the 15 participating markets.
This gave us both the stories and the structures
shaping
market exits.
Our analysis process was rigorous.
We transcribed
every interview and coded them using a shared code book.
While insights from all participants inform our findings.
This presentation focuses on the experiences.
Of 18 nonmarket farms.
Who are represented in the pie chart you see
by
the orange car.
These are the individuals who made the decisions to leave the markets.
And it is the voices that help us to understand the why,
what next,
and how
we can better support farmers
through
transitions.
So,
what did we find as reasons why farmers leave
the markets?
From the data.
3
Categories of reasons
emerged.
First
Internal factors.
Things which are within the market's control like governance fees or operations.
Second,
External
factors.
These are broader things outside the markets.
Like
economic trends
or climate events.
Fa
Is boundary factors.
These are where
personal and professional
interests collide.
Including burnouts,
caregiving,
or life
changes.
Now,
to better understand these pathways,
the chart you see.
Break down the main factors
that led
these 18 farmers we talked about to exit the markets.
And the factors are grouped into the three categories as we mentioned
in the previous slide,
internal,
external,
and boundaries
and,
and boundary.
And in this charts,
the green
represents the internal,
the orange represents the external,
and
the
blue
represent the boundary.
Among the internal factors,
the most frequently cited
was inadequate management,
where 10 cited this,
10 farmers cited this as reasons for leaving.
This was followed by 8 farmers who
highlighted economic and logistical challenges as reasons for their exit.
Some also mentioned competition
and market saturation.
So,
in terms of external categories,
Some farmers pointed to issues like climate change,
land access,
and policy constraints.
But what's,
what is especially.
Important
and often overlooked
are the boundary factors.
6 farmers shouted,
cited burnout and uh personal challenges
as key reasons for leaving.
Others mentioned evolving business goals
and community dynamics.
Therefore,
while some challenges are about the market itself.
Many of the challenges reflect broader
prices
or personal life changes
that influence a farmer's decision
to step away from the market.
Now,
let's hear.
The from the farmers' voices
or the farmers themselves.
For the internal factors.
Especially the many farmers,
the 10 farmers who cited.
Inadequate management
as reason for living.
These are some of the quotes we had.
We heard from them.
These codes
show how poor and inconsistent management pushes farmers
out,
whether through unworkable logistics or on managed veer conflicts.
The courts you see in both cases.
Clearer or more supportive systems could have made a real difference.
So for instance,
one farmer
had this to say.
The market wouldn't let us back up close to the tent.
They required us to unload and carry everything over to the tent,
and it just didn't work.
Another said,
we sold out every weekend.
It was profitable,
but Os assume our spot
was the reason.
So
they were set up
there
to push us out.
It hit our sals.
Without helping
DS.
In terms of economic and log challenges which were also often cited.
The quotes you see
so how time,
distance,
and efforts
often
outweighed the returns.
For some
The markets just wasn't profitable,
especially after long drives for others.
The workload was simply exhausting
to sustain.
Week
after week.
So one farmer said,
It was fun.
But not profitable.
We were actually losing money on that market because of the drive.
Another said,
I realised I could save myself the effort.
Every Saturday evening.
I had to milk the animals and load up and be at the market by 9 a.m. It was
exhausting.
In terms of boundary factors,
here are some of the quotes concerning burnout and personal pressure.
Many of the stories were deeply human.
One vendor said.
For 25 years,
I missed most of my kids' baseball games.
Once they grew up,
it became a lot,
a lot less fun.
Others
were simply worn out.
They are not just business exits.
They are life transitions.
And many had
no clear support as they made
those decisions.
So for instance,
one set,
I have been working back to back season for a decade
and I am allowing myself to slow down.
Now,
importantly,
It's important that
We take note that not all exits are final or negative.
Some
farmers
simply shift
to other models.
As we can see in the charts.
Some of the places the farmers go
after they exit the markets.
This includes
Community supported
agriculture CSS which are the most common.
Online or hybrid sales.
Direct farm sales or wholesales,
or
some of them simply take a break
to rest.
And to reevaluate.
So for some of them they are temporary exits
and they will return at some point in the future.
These are part of a larger adaptation land landscape
which
stakeholders need to take note of.
So,
What can
markets do?
About these factors.
That influence farmers to exit the markets.
Face first.
It's important to improve what's within
the market's control.
What we need to do,
markets,
you should strengthen governance and define leadership roles.
Involve vendors in decisions and communicate openly.
And
manage vendor makes fairly to avoid oversaturation and tension.
So so they need.
That
We make the market rules consistent.
Transparent
and apply them fairly.
How do we address the external factors which are
beyond
the market's control?
These are factors which markets a long term fix.
But
The markets can advocate for supportive policies and funding.
Partner with Land Trust
and co-ops.
Work with local government to improve infrastructure.
From storage to transportation.
These partnerships can help
buffer
the external stocks per face.
How about the boundary factors?
What can we do about it?
Markets should consider flexible scheduling
or seasonal participating options.
Help vendors adapt their businesses
and offer
support
to try CSAs or online platforms.
There may also be the need to create wellness support.
Shared labour pools,
mental health resources,
and peer mentoring.
Because
the personal side of farming can't be separated from
the business side.
Our big takeaway.
Is that
not all exits are bad.
Some farmers leave because
they have grown or they grow,
evolve.
Or pivot.
And that's OK.
Because in most cases,
they are still within the food system
and perhaps
even contributing better
to the food system.
But markets and communities
can provide resources for transitions.
Support
innovative models.
And build systems that allow farmers to step back
and return
without penalty
or shame.
Retention doesn't mean holding
on
at all cost
to have the farmers
in the market.
It means supporting
the well-being and the sustainability
of
the farmer.
So,
here is where we landed the planet this morning.
We should understand why farmers live.
But
we shouldn't assume every exit is a failure.
Retention starts
with
inclusion.
Build markets that are transparent,
flexible,
and inclusive.
Support vendors,
not just as a business
but as a people.
And
there's the need to rethink success.
Not just by attendance or profits.
But by how well we care
for those who grow our food.
Thank you for your attention.
And for the work
you all do in your communities.
We welcome your questions and your comments.
And if you are
interested in connecting with us.
Please reach out.
We also have more
online resources.
On this study.
And we would like
To have your feedback.
So
The QR code you see on the screen.
Please
help us with your feedback by scanning.
And telling us and tell us what you think.
And what you found this presentation useful.
So here is how you can learn more about our findings
by scanning the code
you see.
Also,
besides this presentation this morning,
there are many more that are coming about various aspects of the study,
which are very interesting.
You are scheduled for various dates
and on your screen
is
what is being sold,
the dates
and the time.
Please take note and register
to,
to listen to more.
I thank you for your attention
and
we'll be glad to take your questions.
Thank you.