Vendor Resources
If you want to suggest more online vendor resources, email them to farmersmarkets@mt.gov. The links below will automatically open in a new tab in your web browser.
General Production & Business Management
- ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture: ATTRA is a free sustainable agriculture information service for farmers and ranchers and the people that work with them. The ATTRA website includes publications, videos and tutorials related to sustainable and diversified production, marketing, and business management.
- Farm Link Montana: Find land to farm on, markets seeking vendors, mentors, and more.
Legal Information
- Farm Commons: Accessible information and tool kits on legal topics relevant to farmers.
- Understanding Farmer's Market Rules: An educational guide to typical market rules from the Farmers Legal Action Group, Inc.
Selling at Farmers Markets & General Marketing
- Selling at Farmer's Markets - a guide from growingformarket.com: A guide covering all aspects of selling at markets.
- ATTRA's Tips for Selling at Farmers Markets: This tip sheet highlights t the advantages, considerations, and key questions you should ask yourself when considering selling at a farmers market.
- Western Profiles of Innovative Agricultural Marketing: Examples from Direct Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Enterprises, a publication from Western Extension Marketing Committee.
- Beginning Farmer Marketing Resources: A list of online marketing resources for beginning farmers.
- Recipe Card Ideas: Simple ways to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables from the Michigan Farmers Market Association.
- Three Big Ideas on Your Booth: Booth set-up ideas from the Marketing for Hippies website.
- Farmers' Market Display Checklist: A booth set-up checklist and analysis tool from the University of Vermont Extension.
Montana State Resources & Regulations
- Montana Food & Ag Development Centers
- Montana Food Safety
- Montana Cottage Food FAQ and Laws from DPHHS
Farmers Market Portal Menu
Quick Links
How to Use the Farmers Market PortalMontana State & County Sanitarians
Farmers Market Coalition Join/Login
MT Dept of Ag Farmers Markets Public Web Page
Update Your Market Listing on the Abundant Montana Directory
Cottage Food Laws
Made in/Grown in/Native American Made in Montana
SNAP Info
Ask us a question
Questions and suggestions for the portal should be sent to:
farmersmarkets@mt.gov
Farmer's Market Frequently Asked Questions
A: Potentially hazardous foods require licensing before selling at farmers markets. These foods include cut melon, raw seed sprouts, garlic in oil preserves, a food of animal origin that is raw or heated, and a food of plant origin that is heat-treated. Contact your local county sanitarian for more information on licensing requirements.
A: In general, vendors do not need a special license if they are selling raw and unprocessed farm products such as fruits and vegetables, baked goods, or fruit preserves. To learn more about health and safety regulations applying to farmer's markets, contact your county sanitarian.
A: Any products that include processing of the vegetables (canning, cooking, preserving, peeling, dicing, cutting, etc.) must be approved through the county sanitarian and licensed by the State Health Department before being sold to the public.
A: Baked goods that are NOT potentially hazardous foods subject to spoilage (breads, pastries, cookies, etc.) may be sold at farmer's markets without a license. Baked goods that require refrigeration (cream pies, cream filled pastries, cheesecakes, custard pies, etc.) are considered potentially hazardous and may NOT be sold at farmer's markets. With any questions, contact your county sanitarian.
A: Meat sellers who have processed their meat in a state inspected facility must then apply to the county sanitarian for a retail meat market license. Additional licensing may be required by the Montana Department of Livestock's Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau depending on the situation, (406) 444-5202
A: Eggs are required to be kept under refrigeration at 45 degrees or cooler, and cannot be sold in reused cartons. Vendors are encouraged to contact their county sanitarian and the Montana Department of Livestock's Milk & Egg Inspection Bureau, (406) 444-2043.
A: A license is not required to sell fruit or berry jams, jellies, compotes, fruit butters, fruit syrups, marmalades, or similar products at farmer's markets. With any questions, contact your county sanitarian.
A: To claim products as "organic," the products must have been grown and handled according to national organic standards. Most operations' products must be "certified" organic before organic claims can be made. Contact the Montana Department of Agriculture's Organic Certification Program with questions, (406) 444-3730.
A: If vendors are selling products by weight, the scales used must be licensed and inspected annually by the Bureau of Weights & Measures, (406) 841-2240.