SCHEDULE: The market will operate on each Saturday of the month, beginning April 5, from 9am until 1pm. Set up begins at 7:45am. The official farmers market season will end November 29th, with a Yule Market on December 20th.
No sales to public customers before 9am. Vendors must be cleared out after the market ends in a timely manner by 2pm, no exceptions.
The market will not operate on April 26 and November 8 due to the WNC Pottery Festival. There will possibly be other dates when the market will not be operating.
All products offered by vendors must be grown or produced in Jackson County, the far western counties & Qualla Boundary, with the exception to the east being Haywood County. Preference will be given to Jackson County growers/producers when possible. Local growers must be certified as such by the NC Cooperative Extension Service. No brokers or resellers are permitted. WNC From the Ground Up’s Sylva Farmers Market reserves the right to re-inspect any vendor should questions arise as to whether the vendor is growing or producing the products they offer for sale. Inspections may take place at the market (unannounced) or at the production facility/farm (scheduled).
APPLICATION/FEES: Completed applications and required certifications must be provided to Sylva Farmers Market and fees, if any, paid accordingly.
Applicants may be placed on a waiting list if there is no space available or if their products would create an overabundance of similar products in the market. All products to be sold must be approved by the Sylva Farmers Market.
2025 season fees:
A 10x10 booth at the Sylva Farmers Market is free, upon approval.
Approved requests for a 10x20 booth will be charged $15/market.
All vendors are be required to apply yearly, pay a fee to WNC From the Ground Up, and complete the required certifications.
Pending 2026 season fees:
Approved Season Vendors: $10/day for the season for a single spot or $20/day for a double spot. Payment options will be determined early 2026. Pre-approved drop-ins: $15/day for single & $30/day for double.
CERTIFICATIONS/REGULATIONS: All vendors are responsible for meeting all County, State, and/or Federal guidelines, rules, and laws affecting their operation. Certificates indicating compliance with these rules must be provided to Sylva Farmers Market. Vendors must comply with all guidelines for products requiring labeling. Food items for immediate consumption (sandwiches, salads, ice cream, cobblers, etc.) are allowed provided vendor meets all applicable Federal, State, and County regulations pertaining to the preparation and sale of those products.
VALUE-ADDED/PREPARED FOOD PRODUCTS: All products must be produced by the vendor. Vendors are strongly encouraged to include locally-grown ingredients (theirs or that of other certified local growers). The use of purchased items in value-added products is permissible if those items add significant value to the product, and must be approved by Sylva Farmers Market.
ELIGIBLE FOOD PRODUCTS: The following food items may be sold at the market:
Fresh produce
Eggs
Fresh & dried herbs, herbal teas
Jams, jellies, preserves, pickles, salsas
Vinegars and dressings
Mushrooms
Cheese and dairy products
Baked goods
Edible flowers
Honey, honeycomb, molasses
Meat (beef, lamb, pork, chicken, rabbit, etc)
Fish and seafood
Pastas and grains
Juices
Other products deemed appropriate
NOTE: Low-acid foods may not be sold unless they comply with applicable NC regulations.
ELIGIBLE NON-FOOD PRODUCTS: The following non-food items may be sold:
Fresh cut flowers
Potted plants and herbs, excluding exotic invasive species
Landscape plants, shrubs, trees, excluding exotic invasive species
Animal fibers
Gourds
Compost/vermicompost
Garden seeds (grown by vendor)
Bird feed and pet cookies
Christmas trees, evergreen wreaths
Dried flower/herb wreaths (no exotic invasive species, e.g. bittersweet)
Dried fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs
Other products deemed appropriate
CRAFT PRODUCTS: Residents of Jackson County or approved counties may sell heritage-type craft items. All craft items must be juried in advance and approved in advance by WNC From the Ground Up. Craft vendors will be limited due to mandatory food to non-food ratios (70:30) and at the discretion of WNC From the Ground Up. All craft items must be produced by the crafter; no kits (i.e. simple assembly or embellishment of purchased materials) are permitted. We will show preference to “makers” that manipulate locally sourced raw materials to create their craft.
The following craft items are examples of what may be sold:
Baskets
Candles
Soap
Quilts and weavings, rag rugs
Woodcarving/woodworking
Pottery/Glass
Blacksmithing (decorative/functional) ironwork
Other heritage items deemed appropriate
PLANT STARTS: Vendors may use plant starts in the production of fruits, vegetables, and landscape materials. However, vegetable, herb, and flower starts must spend at least 30 days of their life on the vendor’s farm before the plant or fruit from the plant can be sold. Landscape plants, shrubs, and trees must spend 75% of their life on the vendor’s farm prior to sale. Plants started from seed may be sold when the vendor determines they are ready for market.
PRODUCTION PRACTICES: All vendors are encouraged to post signage indicating their production practices and identifying specific produce (i.e., GMO, organic, uncertified organic - organic practices used).
MARKET LAYOUT/SCHEDULE: All efforts will be made to assign Season Vendors to a fixed spot/area within the market. Vendors will be required to remain at the market during market hours. (WNC Farm to Table may use their discretion during the season to adjust space assignments in an attempt to maintain an attractive and functional market.) Vendors must arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the start time and be set up by the official start time. Those who are allocated spaces and arrive late may be directed to space subject to availability. For safety reasons, all vendors are not allowed to leave the market prior to the official end time, except in the event of an emergency.
ABSENCES: In order to finalize and publicize the market map, assigned vendors must contact the market manager by 5pm Wednesday before the market if they are unable to attend on a particular day or for a particular period due to the unavailability of product.
DAY VENDORS: Day vendors must complete an application in advance of setting up and comply with the same requirements as Season Vendors. Spaces will be offered to day vendors on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis.
EBT PROGRAM: Participation in the market’s EBT program is required. Vendors will accept all eligible tokens at the market as defined by their product offerings. It is recommended that vendors have a strong understanding of the market’s token program, and vendors are encouraged to speak with Sylva Farmers Market if any questions arise. Reimbursement checks are scheduled for every other week pending unforeseen processing delays.
VENDOR AGENTS: It is recognized that growers/vendors are time-challenged and that a vendor may need family members or employees or other agents to manage market booths. If a vendor appoints an agent, the vendor must notify Sylva Farmers Market and provide the agent’s contact information. Agents may only sell the products of the vendor they are representing. Agents may not represent more than one vendor at a time.
SALES TAX/SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Vendors are responsible for understanding and complying with NC statutes and regulations about business registration, the collection of sales tax, reporting of their individual earnings, and payment of all applicable taxes. Resources are available through the Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center or the NC Department of Revenue website: https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/business-registration/online-business-registration.
LIABILITY INSURANCE: Sylva Farmers Market does not provide liability insurance for individual vendors, their products, or any activity associated with their operation. Individual vendors are responsible for providing their own insurance and are encouraged to do so.
MARKET GROUNDS/FACILITIES: Vendors are asked to do all they can to maintain a clean, safe, and enjoyable market space. Vendors are responsible for picking up and disposing of trash within their space and general market area on market day. Bridge Park is reserved by WNC From the Ground Up from the Town of Sylva, which vendors are asked to respect. Vendors must refrain from driving or parking on the grass. Please help us ensure our customers can access the market.
MARKET SET-UP & TENTS: Vendors are responsible for setting up their own equipment, as well as for the removal of all tents, tables, and other items from their spaces at the close of each market day. All tents are required to be secured with adequate weights every market day. Vendors are encouraged to post the name of their farm/business and prices in a highly visible manner. No electricity is available for vendor use unless specifically approved by Sylva Farmers Market.
NON-PROFIT TABLES: In its effort to serve as a community resource, WNC From the Ground Up allows local non-profit and community-based organizations to set up a table at the market to conduct outreach, education, and raise awareness of their programs. There is no day fee/charge for these groups. Due to space considerations, we may limit the number of community tables per market day and/or the number of visits per season. While these groups may accept voluntary donations at their tables, fundraising should not be their primary objective. In the event that a group wants to sell products or services for fundraising purposes, they must complete a vendor application and pay a day vendor fee, if applicable. All groups must abide by our guidelines prohibiting political and religious speech at the market. Market sponsors donating $200 or more are also permitted to set up at the market per the details of our sponsorship package.
VENDOR CONDUCT: Vendors are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that
promotes the overall well-being of the market; ensures that the market is a pleasant, welcoming, no-hassle/no-hawking experience; and does not cause disruption to customers or other vendors. Vendors who bring children and/or pets must control them within their space. The market is a non-smoking venue; vendors who smoke must step outside of the market and parking areas. Vendors may not open-carry guns in the market area and guns are required to be locked in vehicles. Vendors who do not conduct themselves in a manner deemed appropriate by Sylva Farmers Market may be asked to leave. In addition, vendors will be expected to respect other vendors and the market in a public setting, which includes social media. Any behavior intended to injure another vendor’s business, the market, or market customers will be reviewed by Sylva Farmers Market and may result in suspension from the market. Fees will not be refunded.
NON-PROFIT STATUS PENDING: WNC From the Ground Up is a charitable, non-profit entity, and therefore, no political, religious, or other similar activities may be conducted or handouts distributed at the market.
COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS/COMPLAINTS: All questions, suggestions, or concerns should be directed to Sylva Farmers Market. Any official complaints which cannot be resolved by Sylva Farmers Market will be resolved through mediation. Complaints must be in writing and must identify the parties involved, specific details of the complaint, and be signed and dated by the complainant.
ADHERENCE TO GUIDELINES/POLICIES: Vendors agree to adhere to all policies instituted by Sylva Farmers Market which may change over the course of the year (this includes adherence to local, state or federal public health guidance or mandates). Vendors will be advised of any pending changes should they occur. Sylva Farmers Market will verbally advise a vendor if they are in violation of the Guidelines and allow a reasonable opportunity to correct the violation. Sylva Farmers Market reserves the right to suspend or expel a vendor from the Market for repeat or gross violation of these Guidelines. The vendor may appeal any adverse action to WNC From the Grond Up, and the decision is final. If adverse action is taken, fees paid will not be refunded.
HOLD HARMLESS PROVISIONS: Each vendor participating in Sylva Farmers Market shall be responsible for any loss, personal injury, deaths, and/or other damage that may occur as a result of the vendor’s negligence or that of its servants, agents, and employees, and hereby agrees to hold harmless, indemnify, and defend WNC From the Ground Up’s Sylva Farmers Market and the Town of Sylva, its successors and assigns, from and against any and all losses, damages, claims, suits or actions, judgments and costs, and attorney's fees which may arise or grow out of any damages, injury, or death of persons or property in any manner connected with the vendor’s products, operations, or vending at the Market.
By signing below, the Applicant agrees that Applicant has read, understands, and agrees to the terms, conditions, and requirements set out in the Market Guidelines.