| How to Become a Farmers Market Vendor Posted: 09 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST Farmers' markets have grown in popularity and become important places for people to buy their food. Shoppers enjoy having access to fresh food and meeting the people who produced it. If you run a farming or agriculture business, you can expand your business considerably if you become a vendor at a farmers' market. Investigate the different markets around your area and determine which is best for you. Then submit all your application materials. If you're chosen, select your best products, make an eye-catching sign, and interact with your customers. If you make a good impression, you can earn lifelong customers for your business. [Edit]Finding the Right Market - Search for farmers' markets near you. As a first step, find out if there are any farmers' markets near you. If you already know of local markets, then you don't have to do much searching. Otherwise, you have many options for finding one.
- The US Department of Agriculture keeps a directory of all the farmers' markets in the country. Find one near you by typing your zip code into https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets.
- You could also search "farmers' market near" your town name to find locations.
- You can travel to a farmers' market, but keep in mind that your products have to stay fresh on a long car ride. If you have products that perish quickly, consider sticking with closer markets.
- Determine what vendor category you fall under. Farmers' markets usually host a multitude of vendors, ranging from farmers to artisans to beekeepers. The application will likely ask your category so the market can place you properly. Know what you produce and what you'll be bringing to the market to categorize yourself properly.[1]
- Common categories include: producers, usually applying to farmers and ranchers; value added, for people who use raw and local ingredients to make food; prepared food, for bakers or chefs who use non-local or store-bought ingredients; and artisans, for people who make crafts.
- Some markets specialize in particular vendor types. Check if a market you're considering has a particular vendor need, or if anyone can apply.
- Compare farmers' markets that appeal to you. You will probably have several choices for which markets to apply to, and they each may offer different advantages. Think carefully about the strengths and drawbacks of each location to decide which market is best for you. For example, one market may specialize in the product you sell, but be very far from your farm. Another might be closer to you, but charge a higher fee. These are all factors you should weigh when making your decision.[2]
- Stay organized by making a spreadsheet and plugging in relevant information about every market you're considering. Important information could include the location, commuting time, fee, and required application materials.
- Pay particular attention to the fees each market charges. The point of selling at a farmers' market is making money, so keep all expenditures within your budget. Otherwise you could end up losing money by participating.
- Gather the necessary paperwork and submit the market application. All markets may have different application processes that they usually list on their websites. They often ask for some of the same documents, however. Common materials include an application form, a copy of your business license, proof of your business insurance, and a signed vendor agreement. Ready all of these materials ahead of time before submitting.[3]
- If you haven't already, register your farm as a business before applying to farmers' markets because most markets require you to be a legal business.
- Look into obtaining business insurance as well, since your farm usually needs insurance before it can sell at the market.
- Remember that each farmers' market has its own deadline for applications. If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until next year to sell at the market. Keep track of the submission dates and have all your paperwork ready for the application.[4]
- Plan your commute to the market location. Location is important when considering farmers' markets because in many cases, you'll be transporting perishable items. If you'll be traveling long distances, make sure you have a truck with refrigeration to prevent food from spoiling on the trip. Distance in also important because if you run out of inventory, you'll have to restock. If you have a 4 hour trip back to your farm, this will be difficult.[5]
- Calculate your transportation costs as well. High gas prices can cut into your profit margin.
- Also consider the travel time. Will you have to get up at 3 AM every day to be there when the market opens? Is this something you want to do?
- Contact the market manager if you have any questions. Even after you look into a farmers' market, you may still have questions. In this case, don't hesitate to reach out to the market manager. They are responsible for making sure the market runs smoothly and would be happy to answer any uncertainties you might have.[6]
- The market website may list someone's name and contact information, or it may just give you a general phone number. In either case, state your question clearly to increase you chances of receiving a sufficient answer.
[Edit]Preparing to Become a Vendor - Find out what your booth size will be. This information is important so you will know how much inventory you can fit in your tent. Find out early on how much space you have so you can plan your inventory accordingly.[7]
- A common lot at farmers' markets is by . Use this as a reference for how much inventory you can bring.
- When you do find out your booth size, calculate how much inventory you can fit in your tent. You want to strike a balance between offering as many products as you can while still looking presentable and orderly.
- Figuring out the ideal amount of inventory to pack is a learning process. You can look up how many visitors per day the market received in past years to get an idea of how many customers you might have. Adjust your approach if you need to. For example, if your cart sells out by noon one day, plan to pack more inventory the next day.
- Practice setting up and breaking down your tent. The day the market starts is not the time to have any unexpected problems. Make sure you know how to smoothly set up your tent and any other equipment so you can get started selling right away.[8]
- Markets usually have regulations on how tents should be weighed down and secured. Conform to all of these rules for everyone's safety.
- Make sure everyone who will be running your booth is capable of setting up and breaking down the tent as well. If you're sick one day, you may need someone else to fill in for you.
- Also make sure any equipment you'll be using is in working order too. If you'll be using refrigerators, sinks, or stoves, practice setting them up and make sure they work.
- Select only your best products for the market. No matter what you sell, you want your customers to see the very best from your farm. Sort your products carefully and remove any damaged or undesirable ones.[9]
- If you sell produce, find the largest and most colorful examples to attract customers. Wash them with cold running water to give them a shine.
[Edit]Selling at the Market - Get to the market in time for opening. Farmers' markets open early, usually no later than 8 AM. Arrive before opening time so you have time to set up. This way, your booth will be ready when customers start arriving.[10]
- Dress appropriately as well. Read the weather reports and know what to expect. If it will be warm in the morning but rainy in the afternoon, plan accordingly by bringing a jacket you can wear.
- Create an eye-catching display. There is a lot of competition at farmers' markets, so you have to try and stand out. Remember that selling at the market is an advertisement for your business. Hopefully, if people like your products, it will bring you more sales. Work hard to design an appealing display so customers want to stop and look at your products.[11]
- Start with a large, colorful sign. Put your farm name and business logo on this sign so all visitors can clearly see who you are. Remember to follow any rules about sign sizing.
- Use smaller signs to describe what makes your products unique. For instance, "Just picked this morning!" will appeal to people looking for the freshest food.
- Arrange your products so they look neat and orderly for your customers. Don't just throw things around. This will make your display look sloppy. Customers prefer a well-organized stand.
- Set a good price for your products. Pricing your products can be difficult, but it's extremely important. If your prices are too high, you'll drive customers away. If they're too low, you'll lose money. There is a lot to consider when pricing items.[12]
- Calculate exactly how much the item cost you to produce. Then add a percentage on top of that so you make a decent profit.
- Look around the market and see what other vendors are offering for similar products. If your prices are much higher than your competition, you will lose business to them.
- Consider offering deals for larger purchases. For example, your price could be $1 for or $2.50 for . This could entice customers to buy more than they would normally.
- Communicate politely with all customers. Practice good customer service so your farm has a good reputation. Greet all customers and talk with them politely. Always thank them for coming, even if they don't buy anything.[13]
- Having light conversations with customers is a good thing, but keep it short if the market is busy. Other customers who want to buy something could get angry if you ignore them.
- Be polite to the other vendors too! Although you are technically competing with them, there's no reason you shouldn't be kind and courteous to your neighbors.
- Remove products that begin looking lower-quality. Your inventory should look fresh and new through the day. Monitor your inventory periodically and see if any products are no longer looking their best. Brown spots on produce, for example, will turn customers off. Swap these out for a fresher replacement.[14]
- Have backup inventory in your truck or stored in your tent. This way, you can easily replace damaged inventory.
- Consider offering a sale for older items to attract customers looking for a deal.
- Provide samples if the market allows you to. Free samples are a great way to attract attention to your booth. If you sell food items, consider handing out some small samples to show people the quality of your product.[15]
- Wear gloves and wash any food samples thoroughly before giving them to a customer.
- Some farmers' markets don't allow samples for sanitary or legal reasons. Don't do this if your market doesn't allow it.
- Keep your money box in a safe place. You'll be handling a lot of cash at a farmers' market. Keep track of all of it, especially your money box. Lock it when it's not in use, and never leave it unattended. If you need to step away for any reason, leave the money with someone you trust completely.[16]
- This is why you should always bring a partner or assistant to the market with you. You can both take turns watching the booth and money when one of you needs a food or bathroom break.
- Also try to get set up to accept credit and debit cards, if your farmers' market allows it. Many people don't carry much cash, and you could miss out on sales if you can't accept credit or debit payments.
[Edit]Getting More Business Beyond the Market - Hand out business cards at your booth. A well-designed business card can catch a customer's eye and make them remember you. Leave a stack on your booth for people to take. Also place them in the bag when a customer makes a purchase. This can help attract repeat customers who were happy with your products.[17]
- A business card should have your farm name, address, contact information, and social media pages.
- Don't forget to design an appealing logo. If you aren't a good designer yourself, see if any of your friends have design skills. There are also websites like Fiverr where you can look for freelancers to design your logo.
- Create an email list. Email lists are a great way to stay connected with customers. Leave a piece of paper on your booth inviting customers to write their name and email address. Give it an alluring title like "Hear about all our great deals!" Then plug these emails into your email list.[18]
- Use this email list to announce any promotions, sales, or activities you'll be doing at your farm.
- Don't overuse the email list, however. Limit your emails to a few times a month at most. Otherwise people may get annoyed and unsubscribe.
- Ask customers to follow and share you on social media. A huge amount of advertising is done on social media now. Display your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest accounts and invite customers to post on your page. If they take pictures, ask them to tag you.[19]
- Don't be shy about asking your customers for reviews. This is your business. Advertise it!
- If you have ever won awards for your product, bring them and display them so everyone can see your accomplishments.
- It is possible to sell at more than one market, but you'll need a team to do this. Recruit people you can trust to run your different stands.
- Don't forget to bring food and water with you when you're at the market too.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Tent, canopy, large umbrella
- Display table, trestle table, folding table, stacked boxes
- Produce
- Signs and labels
- Licenses or certification (where relevant)
- Transportation vehicles, trailer
- Change and a bum-pack to carry your money on your body
- Calculator, possibly attached to the counter
- Carry bags (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Deal With a Burglar Breaking Into Your Home Posted: 08 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST Your home is your castle, so you want to feel safe and secure inside of it. Unfortunately, your home might be entered by a burglar who's after your money or valuables. Typically, burglars want to take things without harming a home's occupants, but that doesn't make them any less scary! If you hear a burglar in your home, hide from them if you can. Otherwise, tell them you called the police and use your household objects to fight them off. In the meantime, secure your home to make it less vulnerable to would-be burglars. [Edit]Hiding from the Burglar - Escape from your home if that's possible. Generally, it's better to leave your home if an intruder is inside. Go to the closest door or window and flee to safety. Once you're secure, call the police for help.[1]
- If neighbors live nearby, run to their house for safety. Otherwise, look for somewhere you can hide, such as inside a grove of trees or behind a fence.
- Hide inside the closest room or closet with a locking door. Look around you and pick out the most secure hiding spot. If you can, move to a room or closet that has a locking door. Get inside and secure the lock.[2]
- You might also look for a hiding spot inside the room. For instance, you might get under the bed or inside a cabinet to further conceal yourself.
- Barricade the door to keep the burglar out. Push heavy pieces of furniture in front of the door to keep it closed if you can. Alternatively, lean a chair under the door knob so it's hard to push open the door. If the door opens outward, loop a belt around the door handle and the leg on a heavy piece of furniture.[3]
- For instance, you might push your dresser in front of your bedroom door. Then, sit in front of the dresser.
- Be as quiet as possible so you aren't found. Once you're hidden, try not to make any noise. Don't talk accept to tell emergency services that you have a burglar. Additionally, don't shift around or play with something.[4]
- Make sure your phone is on silent or vibrate.
- Don't try to move hiding spots. This will make noise and might draw attention to you.
- Listen carefully so you won't be surprised by the attacker. While it's scary to think about, it's likely that the burglar is going to go through your home looking for valuables. They might reach the room where you're hiding before the police arrive. Listen so that you can hear what they're doing. Pay attention to the following:[5]
- Do you hear footsteps or other noises coming your way? If so, prepare to run or fight.
- Does it sound like the burglar is talking to someone else? If so, there could be more than 1 burglar.
- Can you hear your property being picked up and packed? This can give you an idea of where the burglar might be located.
- Call the police once you're in a secure hiding place. After you find a hiding spot, use your cell phone to call for help. Tell the dispatcher your name, your address, and that you have a burglar. Then, explain that you're hiding and need to be quiet. Stay on the line until they say it's safe to hang up.[6]
- Keep the volume of your phone on low while you're calling for help. This minimizes the chance that you'll be heard.
[Edit]Confronting the Intruder - Confront the intruder only if hiding isn't an option. Generally, it's safer to avoid contact with an intruder rather than confronting them. You don't know their motives for entering your home, and they may panic and hurt you if they find out you're there. Do your best to escape or stay hidden.[7]
- Your personal safety is most important. Don't risk your life to save your stuff!
- Keep in mind that the intruder may be more likely to get caught if you hide and call the police. If they think you're not home, they might still be in your home when the police arrive.
- Shout "I've just called the police" to possibly scare them away. If you're discovered or can't find a hiding spot, yell that you've called the police already. Shout it out several times so you know that they've heard you. This might scare the burglar and get them to leave voluntarily.[8]
- You might shout, "I've called the police! The police are on their way! I called 911! The police will be here any minute!"
- Get your firearm for protection if you have one. You might choose to protect your home with a gun. If so, retrieve your gun from it's secure spot as soon as you hear the burglar. Then, prepare to use your gun for protection.[9]
- You may choose to shout to the burglar that you have a gun. You could yell, "I have a gun!" However, it's possible that the burglar could also have one.
- It's legal in some areas for you to shoot a burglar. However, there may be restrictions on what's legal, so research the laws in your area. For instance, you might not be able to fire on an intruder who is leaving.
- Pick up a knife if you're near your kitchen. Don't try to go to the kitchen to retrieve a knife. However, grab a knife if you're close to the kitchen when you hear the burglar. Keep the knife in your hand so that you can surprise the attacker with it if they get close to you.[10]
- While a knife is a great weapon, it might be hard to use and could get taken from you. Don't approach the burglar with the knife. Use it to scare them off.
- Grab a heavy object that you can use as a weapon. You don't need a conventional weapon to fight someone off. Use a household item as a makeshift weapon to give you an advantage against the burglar. Strike the burglar with your weapon if they get close to you. Here are some great options for weapons:[11]
- A bat
- A hockey stick
- A pot or pan
- A wine bottle
- A lamp
- A statue or bust
- A belt
- Perfume
- Hairspray
- Bug spray
- Strike the burglar's weak points to help incapacitate them. If you're close to the intruder, hit them where it hurts. Aim your weapon or a kick at their groin first if they're a man. Then, attack their eyes, nose, neck, knees, and stomach. Hit them as hard as you can, then run away.[12]
- Your goal isn't to fight, injure, or detain the burglar. Just try to incapacitate them long enough for you to run away.
[Edit]Securing Your Home - Practice your plan for a home invasion in advance. Try not to worry too much about potential burglars because you're probably safe. However, it's helpful to practice how you'll handle a burglary so you're prepared. Make a plan with your family and practice it so you feel ready to carry it out. Here are some things to consider:[13]
- Plan an escape route from your bedroom and the common areas.
- Create a danger word that warns other household members of an intruder.
- Designate an area for all household members to meet up.
- Create a safe room by installing a heavy, locking door on one room.
- Keep your doors and windows locked at all times. Don't give a burglar easy access to your home. Close and secure all exterior doors and windows, even if you're home. This prevents crimes of opportunity.[14]
- Check your doors and windows before you go to bed every night to make sure they're locked.
- Add deadbolts to your exterior doors.
- Store expensive items in your garage out-of-sight. Burglars are hoping for an easy score, so they'll be tempted to grab things like bicycles or expensive tools. Keep these items in your garage when they're not in use, and make sure you or your children don't leave them laying in your yard.[15]
- Burglars might see these items laying in your yard while they're casing homes and come back later to steal them.
- Trim the vegetation around your home so a burglar can't sneak around. You might think that shrubs and bushes hide your home, but they actually hide would-be intruders. Burglars can easily creep around your home if they're shrouded in leafy vegetation. Eliminate these hiding spots by keeping your bushes, shrubs, and grass trimmed.[16]
- If you have a multi-story home, trim any tree branches that would allow a burglar easy access to a window or balcony.
- Install outdoor lighting so would-be burglars feel exposed. Burglars want to stay hidden in the dark, so they might avoid your home if it's well-lit. Put lights above your exterior doors and keep them on while it's dark outside. Additionally, install motion-activated flood lights over your garage and the side of your home.[17]
- Check around your home for areas that might need more lighting to be secure.
- Use curtains to prevent potential burglars from spotting your goods. While casing your home, would-be burglars will look through your windows to see if you have valuables. Make it harder for them to see inside by installing curtains or blinds over your windows. This makes it less tempting for a burglar to enter your home.[18]
- It's especially important to cover your windows at night. If you have a light on, the contents of your rooms will be very visible from outside.
- Install a security camera over your front door or garage as a deterrence. Burglars don't want to get caught, so they might avoid your home if they see a visible camera. Plus, you'll have evidence to give the police if they do break into your home. Put your camera above your door or above your garage to scare off potential burglars.[19]
- A camera will be a better deterrent if it's easily visible to intruders.
- Get a home alarm to scare off burglars and call for help. Investing in a home alarm system may scare off any burglars who do try to enter your home. Plus, it'll call the police on your behalf so help arrives faster. Research home alarm companies to find one that fits your needs and preferences. Then, get an alarm installed.[20]
- Be sure to display you home alarm company's sign outside your home so potential burglars know you're protected.
- Burglars usually target empty homes, so they may run away if they know you're there. However, don't count on that! It's best to stay hidden if you can.
- If you manage to see the burglar, try to memorize as many details about them as you can. If they get away, you can provide them to the police as they attempt to catch them.
- If you want a pet, consider getting a big dog to deter potential burglars.
- If you're particularly worried about a break-in, consider learning self-defense. It will make you more prepared to fight off an attacker and more confident in a crisis.
- If you use your cellphone to call emergency services, keep it on vibrate. Otherwise, there will be a loud ringtone if they need to call you back, which will alert the burglar to your location.
[Edit]Warnings - Learn your jurisdiction's laws on self-defense. While some allow the use of lethal force when an individual breaks into your home, others have varying definitions of "reasonable force".
- Call the police if you have been robbed so they can open an investigation.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Wash Sweaters by Hand Posted: 08 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST Washing your sweaters by hand is a great way to get them clean and fresh without the risk of stretching or shrinking them in the washing machine. While it takes a bit of time, washing them by hand with a gentle detergent can extend the life of your sweaters and help them maintain their shape, making it well worth the effort.[1] [Edit]Setting Up Your Washing Station - Separate the sweaters by color if you're washing more than one. Dark-colored dyes can bleed a bit when you're hand-washing, so you'd likely have to change the water before moving on to the light colors if you washed the darks first.[2] Therefore, if you're hand-washing more than one sweater and the sweaters vary in color, separate them into two piles – one for light colors and one for dark. That way, once you're ready to wash, you'll already have them separated so you can easily wash the light-colored pile first.[3]
- In most cases, you'll be able to use the same wash set-up for all the sweaters as long as you wash the light colors first.
- Turn the sweater(s) that you're washing inside-out. Before hand-washing your sweater, reach up into the sweater and pull the sleeves through to flip it so that the inside is facing out. This will minimize friction while you wash, keeping the outside of the sweater from pilling.[4]
- If you're hand-washing more than one sweater, repeat this for all of the sweaters you're washing.
- Fill up a clean sink with room temperature water. First, wipe down your sink with an all-purpose cleaning wipe or spray and a paper towel. Rinse the sink with water to remove any cleaner residue. Then, fill the sink with room temperature water.[5]
- While warm water tends to be more effective at removing stains, it could make the dyes in your sweater bleed or cause the sweater to shrink after you wash.[6]
- You can also use a shallow plastic or enamel wash basin.[7]
- Add about of a gentle detergent to the water. Pour of low-alkaline laundry detergent or baby shampoo into the filled sink or wash basin. Swish the detergent around in the water until it's combined and the water is sudsy.[8]
- While you can measure, the amount of detergent doesn't need to be precise here – you'll just need enough detergent so that the water gets sudsy.
- If you're washing a particularly large or thick sweater, or multiple sweaters, you can add a bit more detergent, about .[9]
- Low-alkaline detergents and baby shampoo are gentler on fabrics than high-alkaline detergents. Therefore, it's particularly important that you choose a low-alkaline detergent when hand-washing cashmere, wool, or any other delicate fabric.[10]
- Mix in white vinegar if you want to neutralize odors. If the sweater(s) you're washing smell as a result of perspiration, stains, or any other reason, mix of white vinegar into the detergent water. Swish the vinegar around until it's combined.[11]
[Edit]Cleaning Your Sweaters - Place one sweater in the soapy water and swirl it around. First, push the sweater down into the water to make sure that it's completely submerged. Then, use your hands to gently swirl it around in the water in a circular motion for about 2 minutes.[12]
- Make sure that you don't pull, tug, or rub the fabric together, as this can cause the sweater to lose its shape.[13]
- If you're washing more than one sweater, make sure that you start with a light-colored sweater first.[14]
- Leave the sweater to soak for 5 to 10 minutes. This will give the detergent time to seep into the fabric and break down any stains. If the sweater is particularly dirty or has a stubborn stain, you may want to gently swish it around every so often to stir up the detergent.[15]
- Remove the sweater from the water and squeeze out the excess water. After letting it soak, lift the sweater out of the water and hold it over the sink or washbasin. Ball or roll it up loosely, then squeeze it very gently to remove some of the excess water.[16]
- Make sure that you don't twist the sweater to wring it out, as this can stretch it out.[17]
[Edit]Drying the Sweaters - Roll the sweater in a clean towel to start to dry. Lay out a clean towel on a flat surface. Then, lay the sweater on top of the towel, making sure that it doesn't hang over the sides of the towel anywhere. Starting at the top, slowly roll the towel with the sweater inside. Press down lightly on the roll to get the towel to absorb more water, then slowly unroll the towel and sweater back open.[18]
- At this point, if the towel has gotten really soaked, you may want to replace it with a dry towel to speed up the drying process.
- Leave the sweater to dry completely. If the sweater appears wrinkly at all, use your hand to smooth out it out as much as possible. Then, leave the sweater to lay on the towel until its completely dry and ready to be worn.[19]
- If you're washing more than one sweater, you can start repeating this process to wash another sweater while the first sweater is drying.[20]
- Instead of a towel, you can also lay the sweater out to dry on a drying rack.
- Fluff the sweater in the dryer if the fabric is dryer-safe. First, check the tag of the sweater to make sure that the fabric is dryer-safe. If it is, you can use the dryer to finish drying the sweater and fluff it up. To do this, keep the sweater inside-out and put it in the dryer on a low spin, low heat cycle to keep it from shrinking. Let it tumble dry for a few minutes, depending on how damp it was when you put it in.[21]
- Generally, sweaters made out of cotton, acrylic, polyester, and linen are dryer-safe.
- Use a steamer to remove any wrinkles. Once the sweater is dry, you can use a steamer to remove any wrinkles left from the hand-washing process. To steam the sweater, hang it up on a hanger or lay it out on a flat surface. Then, run the steamer down the sweater in long strokes, making sure that you put the steamer on the right fabric setting.[22]
- If you steamed the sweater on a hanger, you'll likely want to remove it from the hanger after so that the sweater doesn't get any shoulder bump indentions from the hanger.[23]
[Edit]Thing's You'll Need - Sink or shallow washbasin
- Water
- Low-alkaline detergent or baby shampoo
- White vinegar (optional)
- Flat surface for drying
- Clean towel(s)
- Drying rack (optional)
- Steamer
[Edit]References |
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