The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are pleased to partner again for the seventh annual Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program and the Arkansas Farmers Market Bag Program. These programs, which are administered by the Department and funded by Farm Credit, help promote local community-based farmers markets with multiple vendors.

Arkansas Farmers Market Promotion Program

The Farmers Market Promotion Program may fund the following promotional items for a specific community-based farmers market:

• signage listing names, seasons, times of operation and location details
• local advertising including print, radio and television media projects
• social media campaigns

In 2022, the Department provided $9,000 in program funding to 23 Arkansas Farmers Markets through the partnership with Farm Credit.

The program will provide cost share assistance for 75% up to $400. 

The application can be found here.

The following criteria is required for application:

• A detailed explanation of the proposed use of the funds
• An itemized budget identifying other funding sources
• A copy of the proposed promotion or signage design
• Farm Credit Association of Arkansas and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture logos included on all promotion designs
• Farm Credit Association of Arkansas and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture mentioned in all broadcast commercials

Please include all the required criteria to the application. All proposed signage MUST include the Farm Credit Association and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture logos; to request digital copies, contact Agriculture Program Manager Karen Reynolds.

or mail to:
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Attn: Karen Reynolds
1 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

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Farmers Market Bags

As an added offering for local Farmers Markets, the Department and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are partnering to produce reusable paper shopping bags for purchase by community-based farmers markets at greatly reduced rates. This program enables farmers markets to provide convenient, high quality shopping bags for consumers.

The Farmers Market Bags are currently in production with an anticipated delivery date of of June 2022. Orders can be accepted for a waitlist, but please do not send payment until contacted that the bags are available. A minimum purchase of 250 bags at $25 is required. 

Markets are responsible for bag pick-up in Central Arkansas unless the market manager chooses to incur the cost of shipping.