Support Wadena County Farmers this Summer

Summertime means fresh, mouth-watering produce, from sweet corn to tomatoes, cucumbers, berries and more! Wadena County is home to bountiful farmland and farming operations that offer their products to residents in various outlets like farmer’s markets, community-supported agriculture and grocery stores. 

August 7 - 13 is National Farmers Market Week and a perfect opportunity to join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in promoting and assisting these community treasures. 

More than just aisles of vendors shopping their fruits and vegetable, farmer’s markets are big business. In 2020, the USDA reported that farmers’ markets and Community Supported agriculture had $739 million in direct-to-consumer sales. Many opportunities exist to support these farmers’ markets and small businesses in and around Wadena County.

Farmers Markets

Wadena County has two farmers’ markets for folks to find fresh products from local growers for their dinner tables. The markets have a little of everything, from fresh vegetables, fruits and produce plants to breads, jams, meat, pastries and more available for purchase.

Wadena Farmer’s Market

• BN Park
  • Tuesday’s, starting in July, 7 am - 11 am
• Across from Tri-County Health
  • Fridays, starting in June, 2 pm - 4 pm

Staples Farmer’s Market (sponsored by Lakewood Health Systems)

• Lakewood Health parking lot 
• Thursdays, May to October, 2 pm to 5:30 pm

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Another excellent way to find fresh produce, support local farmers and help build community strength is through a CSA. Farmers benefit from CSA’s by marketing directly to their potential customers and receiving payment for their produce in advance. Customers benefit by receiving fresh produce, typically grown in organic and sustainable farming practices.

Sprout has viewed a local food system as a potential regional asset since 2012, working to increase healthy food access, encourage entrepreneurship and cultivate creativity. Sprout manages a summer and winter CSA out of its Little Falls office for Wadena County. 

Nurturing growth

Like the produce they grow and sell, farmers’ markets, farmers and other agribusiness entrepreneurs need proper nutrients to grow. Along with National Farmers Market Week, the SBA is promoting its collection of resources and tools it provides to help aspiring business owners bring their dreams to reality. A complete list of these, like the Community Navigator Pilot Program, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers and more, can be accessed at the SBA Resource Partners website. 

The Economic Alliance is here to help you grow your business as well. Please email or call us at (218) 837-5950 today to learn more about our assistance programs and networking opportunities.