How to Join a LocallyGrown Market

Your step-by-step guide to applying, getting approved, and starting to sell

Welcome, Future Growers!

Ready to reach more customers and grow your business? LocallyGrown makes it easy to sell your farm-fresh products online. This guide walks you through applying to join a market and getting your first products listed.

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Simple Application

Apply online in minutes with our easy-to-use form

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Market Review

Approval timelines vary by market—check your market's FAQ

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Fast Setup

Start selling as soon as you're approved

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Community Support

Join a network of local farmers and food producers

The Onboarding Process: Step by Step

Here's what to expect when joining a LocallyGrown market. The timeline from application to first sale varies—some markets approve within days, others have seasonal review periods. Check your market's FAQ for their specific timeline.

1

Create Your Account

Time: 2 minutes

Sign up with your email and create a password

2

Submit Your Application

Time: 5-10 minutes

Tell us about your farm and what you grow

3

Wait for Approval

Time: Varies by market

Market managers review your application—check your market's FAQ for typical timeline

4

Set Up Your Profile

Time: 15-30 minutes

Add products, photos, and descriptions

5

Start Selling!

Time: Immediate

Your products are live and customers can order

Step 1: Create Your Account

Before you can apply to become a grower, you need a user account. This is quick and easy!

Creating Your Account

  1. Visit your local market's website
    • Go to your LocallyGrown market (e.g., athensga.locallygrown.net)
    • Don't have a local market yet? Find markets near you
  2. Click "Sign In" → "Create Account"
    • Look for the "Sign In" link in the top navigation
    • Click on "Create an account" or the create tab
  3. Fill out your information
    • Email: Use an email you check regularly (you'll get order notifications here)
    • Password: Choose a secure password
    • First Name & Last Name: Your personal name
    • Phone Number: For order communications
  4. Submit and verify
    • Click "Create Account"
    • You may receive a verification email - click the link to confirm
    • You're now signed in!
👤 Personal vs Business: Your user account is your personal login. In the next step, you'll create your grower/business profile. Think of it like this: your user account is you, your grower profile is your farm. They're separate but linked.

Multiple Users: After you're approved, you can link additional user accounts to your farm profile—perfect for partners, employees, or anyone helping run your business. Everyone can log in with their own account and manage your farm together!

Step 2: Submit Your Grower Application

Now that you have a user account, you can apply to become a grower. This is where you tell the market managers about your farm or food business.

Starting Your Application

  1. Make sure you're logged in
    • You should see your name in the top navigation
    • If not, click "Sign In" and log in with your account
  2. Go to the application page
    • Visit the growers page on your market
    • Look for a link like "Apply to be a grower" or "Tell us about your farm"
    • Or go directly to: /growers/new
  3. Fill out the application form

    You'll be asked for:

Application Form Fields

Grower Name (Required)

What to enter: Your farm or business name - this is what customers will see

Examples:

  • "Smith Family Farm"
  • "Green Acres Organic Produce"
  • "Mountain View Honey"
  • "Sarah's Artisan Breads"

đź’ˇ Tip: Pick a name that's memorable and gives customers a sense of what you do!

Location (Required)

What to enter: Your city, town, or general area (shown to customers)

Examples:

  • "Athens, GA"
  • "Near Watkinsville"
  • "Madison County"

đź’ˇ Tip: This helps customers understand where their food comes from. You don't need to give your exact address.

Growing Method (Required)

What to choose:

  • Certified Organic: USDA certified organic
  • Organic (non-certified): Follow organic practices but not certified
  • Natural/No-Spray: No synthetic chemicals but not organic
  • Sustainable: Environmentally conscious practices
  • Conventional: Standard farming methods
  • Not Applicable: For value-added products (breads, jams, etc.)

đź’ˇ Tip: Be honest! Customers value transparency. Many markets have specific standards, so choose accurately.

Description (Required)

What to write: Tell your story! This is your chance to connect with customers.

Include:

  • What you grow or produce
  • Your farming philosophy or practices
  • How long you've been farming
  • What makes your products special
  • Your passion for local food

Example:

"Smith Family Farm has been growing certified organic vegetables in Madison County for over 15 years. We specialize in heirloom tomatoes, salad greens, and seasonal produce. Our farm uses sustainable practices including composting, cover cropping, and integrated pest management. We believe in providing the freshest, healthiest vegetables while caring for the land for future generations."

💡 Tip: Write like you're talking to a customer at a farmers market— friendly and genuine.

Website/URL (Optional)

What to enter: Link to your farm website, Facebook page, or Instagram

Examples:

  • https://www.smithfamilyfarm.com
  • https://www.facebook.com/smithfamilyfarm
  • https://instagram.com/greenacresfarm

đź’ˇ Tip: Social media counts! If you don't have a website, link to your most active social media page.

Public Contact Info (Optional)

What it means: Check this if you want customers to be able to contact you directly

  • Checked: Your email/phone shown on your grower profile
  • Unchecked: Customers contact you through the market managers

đź’ˇ Tip: Most growers check this box. Direct contact helps build customer relationships!

Photo (Optional but Recommended)

What to upload: A photo of your farm, products, or yourself

Good photo ideas:

  • Your farm or growing area
  • You working in the field
  • A harvest display
  • Your products beautifully arranged

đź’ˇ Tip: Photos make a huge difference! A clear, high-quality image helps customers connect with your farm.

Zip Code (Optional)

What to enter: Your farm's zip code

đź’ˇ Tip: This helps with market mapping features and verifying you're in the service area.

Submitting Your Application

  1. Review your information
    • Double-check spelling and grammar
    • Make sure your description is compelling
    • Verify your contact info is correct
  2. Click "Submit Application"
    • Your application is sent to the market managers
    • You'll see a confirmation message
  3. You're done! Now wait for approval
    • Market managers will review your application
    • Review time varies by market—check your market's FAQ for their typical timeline
    • You'll receive an email when there's an update
✅ Application Submitted! Your application is with the market managers now. Watch your email for updates. Review times vary—check your market's FAQ for their typical timeline.

Step 3: The Approval Process

After you submit your application, the market managers will review it. Here's what happens:

What Market Managers Look For

  • Location: Are you within the market's service area?
  • Growing method: Does it align with the market's standards?
  • Product fit: Do you grow/produce products the market supports?
  • Completeness: Is your application filled out thoroughly?
  • Professionalism: Is your description clear and customer-friendly?

What Happens Next

âś… If Approved

  • You receive an approval email
  • Your grower profile becomes active
  • You can immediately start adding products
  • Welcome to the community!

đź’¬ If They Have Questions

  • Market managers may contact you for clarification
  • They might ask for more information
  • This is normal - just respond promptly
  • They may edit your profile to clean up details

❌ If Not Approved

  • You receive a notification email
  • The market may not be the right fit
  • Check if there are other markets in your area
  • You can ask for feedback to understand why
⏰ How long does approval take? Every market is different. Some review applications within days, others approve growers seasonally (like once in spring). Check your market's FAQ page for their process. If you haven't heard back in their stated timeframe, a polite follow-up is perfectly fine!

Step 4: After You're Approved

Congratulations! You're approved. Time to set up your products and start selling.

Your First Day as a Grower

  1. Check your email
    • You should have received an approval notification
    • This confirms your grower status
  2. Log in to your account
    • Use the same email/password you created earlier
    • You now have grower permissions!
  3. Access your grower dashboard
    • Go to the admin page: /admin
    • You'll see grower-specific tools and options
    • This is your command center for managing your business
  4. Take the interactive tutorial
    • Go to the market page: /market
    • Look for the "Edit Mode" toggle (top right)
    • Turn it ON - you'll see a step-by-step tutorial
    • This shows you exactly how to add and manage products

Adding Your First Products

You have two easy ways to add products. The interactive Edit Mode tutorial walks you through both:

Method 1: Quick Add with Edit Mode

  1. Turn on Edit Mode on the market page
  2. Click "+ Add Product" button
  3. Fill out the quick form
  4. Save - your product is live!

Best for: Fast additions, simple products

Method 2: Full Product Form

  1. Go to /market
  2. Look for "Add New Product" in grower tools
  3. Fill out detailed form with photos
  4. Save - product appears in market

Best for: Detailed listings with photos

What to Include in Your First Products

  • Product Name: Clear and specific (e.g., "Heirloom Tomatoes - Mixed Variety")
  • Price: Fair market price for your area
  • Unit: How it's sold (per lb, per bunch, per pint, each)
  • Quantity Available: How many you can sell this week
  • Description: Variety, flavor notes, serving suggestions
  • Photo: Clear, appetizing photo of the actual product
  • Category: Helps customers find your products (Vegetables, Fruit, Dairy, etc.)
🎓 Need help? Check out our detailed product management guides:

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: "I submitted my application but nothing happened"

Solution:

  • Check your email (including spam folder) for confirmation
  • Make sure you were logged in when you submitted
  • Visit the growers page - you should see your application as "pending"
  • If you don't see anything, you may need to resubmit (make sure to log in first!)

Problem: "I can't find the application form"

Solution:

  1. Make sure you're logged in (see your name in top nav)
  2. Go directly to: /growers/new
  3. Or visit the growers page and look for "Apply to be a grower"
  4. If you already have a grower account, it will say "You're already a grower" instead

Problem: "I haven't heard back about my application"

Solution:

  • First, check your market's FAQ page for their typical approval timeline
  • Check your spam/junk folder for approval emails
  • If it's been longer than their stated timeframe, contact the market managers politely
  • Visit your market's contact page or look for manager email addresses
  • Remember: some markets approve seasonally (once per year) or have specific review windows

Problem: "I was approved but can't add products"

Solution:

  1. Make sure you're logged in with the correct account
  2. Go to /admin - do you see grower options?
  3. If not, your user account may not be linked to your grower profile
  4. Contact market managers - they can link your accounts
  5. Check if "New Products" are enabled for the market (may be temporarily disabled)

Problem: "I made a mistake in my application"

Solution:

  • If not yet approved: Contact market managers and ask them to update it
  • If already approved: You can edit your profile yourself!
  • Go to your grower profile page and click "Edit Info"
  • Update any information and save

Problem: "I forgot my password"

Solution:

  1. Go to the sign in page
  2. Click "Forgot Password" or similar link
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Check your email for password reset instructions
  5. Follow the link to set a new password

Tips for a Successful Application

🎯 Most Important Tip: Before applying, take time to understand the market you want to join. Each LocallyGrown market has its own culture, rules, and expectations. The better you understand how things work, the more successful you'll be!

Before You Apply: Understand the Market

  • Experience it as a customer first:
    • Create a customer account and browse the market
    • Look at how other growers present their products
    • Read product descriptions to understand the tone and style
    • Even better: Place an order or two! Experience firsthand how ordering, pickup, and communication work. Some markets actually require this before approving new growers.
  • Read the market's About page and FAQ:
    • Understand their mission, values, and standards
    • Check their growing method requirements (organic, certified, etc.)
    • Look for grower approval timelines and processes
    • Note any special requirements or expectations
  • Review existing grower profiles:
    • See what types of farms and products they feature
    • Get inspiration for writing your own description
    • Understand what makes a compelling grower story
    • Check if there's already a grower selling similar products (some markets limit overlap)
  • Understand the ordering cycle:
    • When do customers order? (Weekly? Bi-weekly?)
    • When and where is pickup?
    • How far in advance do you need products ready?
    • Can you meet these deadlines consistently?
  • Verify you meet requirements:
    • Location/service area restrictions
    • Growing method standards
    • Required certifications or licenses
    • Product categories they support
  • Prepare your application materials:
    • Write your farm description (see tips below)
    • Take or select a great photo
    • Have your website/social media links ready
    • Know your growing method and location details
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Markets are communities, not just sales platforms. Show that you understand and align with the market's values and operations. A thoughtful application that demonstrates you've done your homework is much more likely to be approved!

Writing Your Description

  • Be authentic and personal - tell your real story
  • Highlight what makes you unique or special
  • Use complete sentences and proper grammar
  • Keep it concise but informative (2-4 paragraphs)
  • Focus on what matters to customers (quality, freshness, practices)
  • Avoid jargon - write like you're talking to a friend

Choosing Your Photo

  • Use natural lighting (early morning or late afternoon is best)
  • Show your farm, products, or yourself working
  • Make sure it's in focus and high resolution
  • Horizontal (landscape) photos work best
  • Avoid cluttered backgrounds
  • Show scale - include people or familiar objects

After Approval

  • Add at least 5-10 products before your first market day
  • Use high-quality photos for each product
  • Price competitively but fairly for your quality
  • Write detailed, appetizing descriptions
  • Set realistic quantities based on what you can harvest
  • Check orders daily during the ordering window
  • Communicate with customers if you need to make changes

Ready to Join?

You're all set to apply! Follow the steps in this guide and you'll be selling in no time.

Find Your Local Market Grower Guide Managing Products

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