Agricultural Community Events Farmers’ Markets
When an organization’s URL is ilovefarmersmarkets.org, you have a pretty good idea about what they’re about! Established in 2010, Agricultural Community Events Farmers’ Markets (ACEFM) is dedicated to championing local agriculture. With a family of 10 markets in Sonoma and Marin counties, each unique in its offerings, their mission is to elevate local artisans, farmers, and producers while supporting the diverse communities that embrace them. In this spotlight, we visited with Kelly Smith, ACEFM manager, at the Santa Rosa Community Farmers’ Market appropriately enough on Valentine’s Day, to learn more about her background, inspiration, and hopes for local ag, along with checking in with fellow Farm Trails members who vend at the market, including Coyote Family Farm and The Gentle Hearth. After all, it takes a village to nourish a community!
ACEFM markets: https://www.ilovefarmersmarkets.org/markets
Photos by Kelsey Joy Photography
- How did you get interested in farming/start your business?
I got my start in farmers’ markets in 1997 as a soap and lotion creator. I found selling at farmers’ markets was a great way to develop my brand and build a customer base. In 2010, my husband, who had managed farmers’ markets for 15 years, and I decided to operate farmers’ markets as a way to offer more opportunities to a growing community of customers as well as the farms and food businesses that they were looking to support.
- What do you do?
While I do have a small wine grape vineyard of Primitivo Old Vine Zinfandel and a small micro food & flower farm, my main focus is on growing relationships with our food creators and local artisans and the community that supports them.
- What do you find most rewarding about your work?
There are a lot of things I love about my work. It’s hard to name just one thing that makes my work special. It’s fun to watch an empty parking lot or park magically unfold to become a vibrant gathering place filled with conversations and connections. Observing shoppers gather ingredients to make their weekly meals while being thoughtful about their local food system. It’s also exciting to be a part of the farmers’ and vendors’ lives and support their success.
- What do you value about being a member of Farm Trails?
I appreciate the dedication that the Farm Trails staff has to our local agricultural community. We are so fortunate to be able to have Farm Trails continue to highlight and lift up our amazing agricultural producers. The value of membership goes beyond just being listed in the Farm Trails publication; it opens the door to a community of networking and bringing Sonoma County agriculture to the forefront for everyone to enjoy.
- What are your hopes for the future of Sonoma County ag?
I would love to see our agriculture community grow. It would be great to make it easier for our young people who are interested in agriculture and those who want to continue family farms. Pushing for more local, state, and federal government support to allow access to land, water, and resources to start up farms and succession planning for family farms is a must to sustain our love of agriculture in our region.
- What advice would you give to someone starting out in your line of business?
I often hear people say they wouldn’t want my job. It’s true it’s not easy to operate farmers’ markets. There’s a lot of “people pleasing” that is required as well as caretaking. So, you really need to come with a sense of humor and try not to lose your cool under stressful situations. Relationship building is at the core of my job and remembering that is often what gets me through some of the rough moments. And be ready to enjoy working outdoors in every type of weather. Sometimes that is harder than the other parts of the job.
