The process of obtaining proper licensing and permits for participating in community markets and craft shows can be intimidating; officials with the Winnemucca Farmers Market are trying to fill the gap by providing a free workshop for the community on Feb. 25.
The process of obtaining proper licensing and permits for participating in community markets and craft shows can be intimidating; officials with the Winnemucca Farmers Market are trying to fill the gap by providing a free workshop for the community on Feb. 25.
Acquiring certifications to be a vendor can seem like a grueling process, but egg, produce, and food vendors are definitely in demand in the community and the process may not be as hard as one thinks. The Winnemucca Farmers Market (WFM) is putting on a free workshop in order to help vendors navigate the process of getting their certifications on Feb. 25 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Humboldt County Public Library.  

“We are hosting this event for free in hopes we can get more vendors [for the farmers market]. Most did not want to deal with having to get certified so they did not sell at events [previously]. We want to show the public it can be simple if you are following the correct guidelines, and it is very affordable,” said Aryn Williams, owner of Marin&Co. Boutique and WFM coordinator. 

Producer certifications are required for anyone in Nevada who is selling raw or unprocessed crops of their own (including honey and eggs), produce grown not grown by the vendor, or produce that is grown in another state and transferred to Nevada, according to the Nevada Department of Agriculture. 

The workshop will help streamline much of the vendor certifications processes, because experts “will be here in person and answering questions.”

“We will have Leycha Ortiz, Agriculturist II | Division of Plant Health and Compliance; Nevada Department of Agriculture coming in person from Las Vegas to tell the public about how to get certified to be a produce or egg vendor. We will also have Ellen Kunz Environmental Health Specialist · State of Nevada, DHHS, Div. of Public + Behavioral Health, EHS in person as well educating us on how to become certified for Cottage Foods, Baked Goods, Temp Food Stands, Food trucks and more,” explained Williams. 

Although the workshop will be a great help to those wanting to become a vendor at the next farmers market, it will also be very helpful to those who are considering opening a business of any kind. 

“Anyone interested in selling their produce or starting up a business that would need one of these certifications [should attend the free workshop]... It’s free knowledge.”

Last year’s farmers market ran every Saturday from June to Aug., but Williams and the others vendors coordinating the market, Athiwan Hustead with Fah Thai Cuisine & Outside the Lines Crayons, Shellie Acosta-Harrell with City Girl Buns, Misty Hauff  with Color Me Happy Tie Dye, are still discussing dates and working to evolve the WFM.

“I am trying to get some licensing for the farmers market to be official as its own entity…We are trying to move WFM to Vesco park, but in order to do so we need an insurance policy— which is another reason we need to get Market to be its own entity. We are hoping to eventually make it a 501c3,” explained Williams.