Are You a Farmer Interested in Participating?

FARMERS MARKETS: California Certified Farmers Markets (CFM) are reserved for California agricultural producers certified through the Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA). Non-certified producers or agricultural/produce merchants are not authorized to participate in a certified farmers market, per the Direct Marketing Rules.

Please check your local county agricultural department for requirements & restrictions.

Certified Grower

A Certified Grower is a person who owns the land, or has a valid lease agreement with the owner of the property in California where the produce or animal products are cultivated (according to the state’s Agricultural Department Rules and Guidelines and the Direct Marketing Guidelines, the governing documents for CFMs). This means a grower must care for a crop from seed to harvest, certifying the crop with his/her local agricultural department, and then selling the produce in a farmers market or produce stand according to the Direct Marketing Guidelines.


Backyard Farmer

A Backyard Farmer is a homeowner (not a renter) with, for example, a fruit tree in their backyard who wants to sell that fruit in a farmers market. This homeowner is still required to follow the same procedures as a farmer to become a certified grower. The homeowner will receive an Agricultural Certificate issued by their county agricultural department which enables them to sell their backyard fruit at a CFM and operate under the Direct Marketing Program. If you are a renter of a property looking to sell products grown in your backyard, you will need to provide a memorandum of understanding between you and the property owner to the county agricultural department to initiate the process of certification.

Agricultural Merchant

An Agricultural Merchant buys their product and then re-sells it, for example, in a store, or perhaps a flea market, and in some cases, a farmers market. This could be nursery plants in ornamental pots, or produce that the merchant has purchased from a produce mart, or from another wholesaler, or from a farmer. The resale of this produce at farmers markets is forbidden under the Direct Market Program. The purpose of a Certified Farmers Market is to support the small California farmer.


Wait List


If the market is at capacity there may be an opportunity to apply to the organization’s waitlist.


NOTE: We only engage and/or accept applications from the certificate holder on the Certified Producers Certificate (CPC) and require direct communication with that grower to consider that farm’s participation.
If you meet the above criteria, and your product is one that meets the needs of the farmers market, we encourage you to apply! Please contact us at sustainablemgmtsvcs@gmail.com.