Strategic Plan
For many years, the Ohio Farmers Market Network talked about change and growth within the organization, and our hopes for its outward realization.
We talked about our “vision” for farmers markets and their communities, and an ideal scenario where everything in the world of farmers markets was as it should be - paid managers, thriving Ohio farms, strong connections to our food and land, etc. (Well, we may not be to that last part (yet), but we’re working on it!)
Today we can share a tangible step forward in that process and unveil the 2024-2026 Ohio Farmers Market Network Strategic Plan. We are incredibly proud of our Board of Directors and those who joined our community conversations, and the outcome of the planning process. With the help of two brilliant leaders in strategic planning, we have a new mission and vision. We have clear core values, strategies and measurements. Exciting, huh?!
Mission
OFMN supports and educates farmers market managers, producers and their stakeholders, in support of resilient direct-to-consumer marketplaces.
Vision
A vibrant Ohio food system where the regional agricultural community is the predominant source of nutrition food for all people, regardless of income.
Core Values
Encouraging innovation, celebrating the individuality of every farmers market, facilitating mutually beneficial relationships, and bringing voice to the impact of direct-to-consumer food and farm entrepreneurs.
Lens
Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Social, political, environmental and economic realities.
Goal One:
Enhance Support
Goal Two:
Strengthen Advocacy
Goal Three:
Expand Outreach
Core Values
Encouraging Innovation
Incubation, revitalization, innovation. Farmers markets are often at the forefront of community improvement and innovation. While farmers markets may not be a replacement for traditional grocery stores, they are a place where we can reimagine our relationship with food, and to the farmers who grow it and the producers who make it.
Celebrating the Individuality of Every Farmers Market
The Ohio Farmers Market Network celebrates all those who call Ohio “home” including those who work tirelessly to organize, manage, vend at or purchase from a farmers market. Every market is unique and reflects the community it serves. We celebrate each and every one of you!
Facilitating Mutually Beneficial Relationships
Mutually beneficial relationships are the backbone to a successful farmers market. Whether it’s the relationship between market manager and vendor, the market and its site host, or a farmers market and regulatory agency, relationships are important. The Ohio Farmers Market Network maintains a healthy rolodex of public and private entities, state and regulatory agencies.
Bringing Voice to the Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Food and Farm Entrepreneurs
The impact of Ohio’s farmers markets and the producers that power them is immeasurable. And because it’s immeasurable, it is often overlooked. OFMN wants to change that. Together, with good communication and proper data collection, we’ll share the numerics of acreage used by direct-to-consumer farmers, the number of shoppers who source the bulk of their produce from local markets, even the simple number of how many farmers markets exist in Ohio… We have a powerful story - let’s tell it!