ASCAP, BMI, and Musicians at Your Farmers Market
Everyone loves music at the farmers market. However, a new challenge has emerged from “publishing rights organizations” seeking expensive licenses in order to play copyrighted music.

Free Speech and Farmers Markets
Farmers markets attract large crowds which, in turn, attract people or groups trying to express themselves. Guaranteed by the US and WA State constitutions, free speech, free expression, and other political activity are very tricky for farmers markets to manage. The below resources provide a helpful overview for WA State and for how to create market rules/policies.

• “FAQ on Expressive Activity / Free Speech at FMs” (WSFMA, 2016)
• FM Legal Toolkit “What Rules Can A Market Make Regarding Speech?” (Univ of VT Law School)

Food Safety at Farmers Markets
No one wants anyone to get sick from what they eat at a farmers market. Fortunately, there are excellent training materials available and resources that can help every market reduce the risk of food borne illnesses.

Market Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Having a solid Emergency Preparedness plan in place is a critical piece of your market’s risk management. Fortunately, the Michigan Farmers Market Association has put together an excellent document with just about everything imaginable.

Farmers Market Advocacy and Policy
Working to change policy at any level is a team effort, based largely on relationships. Fortunately, farmers markets have strong partners in Washington. Find out who plus a few tips and ideas for Farmers Market Week.

Vendor Scale Requirements
Vendor scales are regulated by the state and critical to ensuring shopper confidence in their farmers market purchases. Learn about weights and measures laws (the “scale license”), scale inspections, and suggested practices to verify compliance.