Larimer County Farmers’ Market: Supporting Inclusive Community Engagement
Primary Topic:
Food Systems
Other Topics:
Community & Economic Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, FCS, Nutrition, & Food Safety, Health & Wellbeing, DEI
Lead Mentor:
Alison O'Connor
Extension Professor of Horticulture in Larimer County
Internship Overview:
The Larimer County Farmers’ Market (LCFM) will be celebrating its 49th season in 2024. The market was started by Master Gardener volunteers and is still managed and operated by Larimer County Extension and the Master Gardener program. The market has multiple programs where it connects Extension to the community. This internship will focus on two program areas – inclusive monthly special events and the Market Days for Older Adults program. Special events are held each month during the market season, showcasing local agriculture, small businesses, health and well-being, and community development. Some of these events include the 4-H Fall Festival, focusing on the fall harvest and connecting the Larimer County 4-H program to the community; another is Picnic at the Market during the 4th of July, highlighting agricultural producers, bakeries, small farms, and more.
The Market Days for Older Adults program started in 2019 and is a program of the LCFM. The program provides vouchers to low-income older adults to directly purchase fresh produce from market vendors. Participants attend the market on Saturdays, engage with vendors and the community, and purchase produce from farmers using vouchers. The intern will work with the Market Days program coordinator to provide plan events, and provide educational and informational resources to participants. It is expected that the intern will be available most/all Saturdays in this role.
The Market Days for Older Adults program started in 2019 and is a program of the LCFM. The program provides vouchers to low-income older adults to directly purchase fresh produce from market vendors. Participants attend the market on Saturdays, engage with vendors and the community, and purchase produce from farmers using vouchers. The intern will work with the Market Days program coordinator to provide plan events, and provide educational and informational resources to participants. It is expected that the intern will be available most/all Saturdays in this role.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
The goals of this internship are as follows:
1. Plan inclusive monthly special events for the Larimer County Farmers’ Market in May, June, July, and August, which the intern will attend. They will also plan additional events for September and October, providing a detailed plan that can be shared with market staff and volunteers. Special events are generally held on the third Saturday of each month.
2. The intern will work with the Market Days staff to help with event planning (either on-site at the market or at community facilities) and develop educational and informational materials for participants. This may include recipes, nutritional information about produce, a list of events in the community, and other information. The intern will also support Market Days and help with voucher distribution on the first Saturday of each month.
3. The intern’s poster will include a project they wish to investigate and research more – it could be on market organization and implementation, the Market Days program (broadening efforts, fundraising, public awareness) or any other project that may be of interest.
The intern will be considered an employee in the Larimer County Extension Office and will have access to any/all resources to support their internship. This may include working individually with the office communications and marketing specialist, other staff and specialists, and have access to funding to support event costs.
The intern will be expected to work most/all Saturdays during the internship, working 7:00am to 1:30pm; other hours may be remote.
1. Plan inclusive monthly special events for the Larimer County Farmers’ Market in May, June, July, and August, which the intern will attend. They will also plan additional events for September and October, providing a detailed plan that can be shared with market staff and volunteers. Special events are generally held on the third Saturday of each month.
2. The intern will work with the Market Days staff to help with event planning (either on-site at the market or at community facilities) and develop educational and informational materials for participants. This may include recipes, nutritional information about produce, a list of events in the community, and other information. The intern will also support Market Days and help with voucher distribution on the first Saturday of each month.
3. The intern’s poster will include a project they wish to investigate and research more – it could be on market organization and implementation, the Market Days program (broadening efforts, fundraising, public awareness) or any other project that may be of interest.
The intern will be considered an employee in the Larimer County Extension Office and will have access to any/all resources to support their internship. This may include working individually with the office communications and marketing specialist, other staff and specialists, and have access to funding to support event costs.
The intern will be expected to work most/all Saturdays during the internship, working 7:00am to 1:30pm; other hours may be remote.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
The intern will work with government groups: CSU Extension, Larimer County, and the City of Fort Collins. They will also work with agricultural producers (produce, meat, dairy) and small business owners who are vendors at the farmers’ market. Other stakeholders include Market Days partners (organizations that work directly with participants, who are low income older adults) and sponsors.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
The intern will get an excellent understanding of overall market management and all aspects of running a farmers’ market and special programs. This includes vendor management, accounting, special event planning, and community outreach education. In addition, the intern will work directly with a market program, Market Days, helping provide support with vouchers, participant organization, event planning, and educational outreach.
During the summer, the intern can attend the monthly Colorado Farmers’ Market Association meetings for market managers and coordinators. The intern will also be encouraged to attend other markets and communicate with market managers for potential ideas. The intern will meet on a weekly basis with all mentors for guidance and support.
During the summer, the intern can attend the monthly Colorado Farmers’ Market Association meetings for market managers and coordinators. The intern will also be encouraged to attend other markets and communicate with market managers for potential ideas. The intern will meet on a weekly basis with all mentors for guidance and support.
