When the Battle Ground Farmers Market opened indoors, it gave local farmers and small-business owners a place to keep selling to customers regardless of the weather — and, for some vendors, the market has become a vital part of their business.
The market celebrated its one-year anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 19, bringing together vendors who have spent the past year building relationships with customers and growing their businesses, while others were just beginning their tenure operating in the Saturday market.
For White Clover Farm, the market has provided a significant boost in sales and production. Alex Tappin said the farm previously relied on on-farm sales after other local farmers market opportunities ended, but sales declined despite customers continuing to visit the farm.
“It's helped tremendously,” Tappin said of the indoor market. “We did the farmer's market in 2022. There was one over here at the community center and then we moved to the Wilco parking lot. And then there was a year of no farmer's market because the turnout wasn't really that great and we moved to on-farm sales and while we had a lot of people show up, our sales dropped a ton.”
Since joining the indoor market, Tappin said White Clover Farm has expanded its production significantly.
“From last year to this year, we've grown. We're growing at least five times the amount of produce, and now it's like every week. It's hard to keep up,” Tappin said.
The indoor setting has also helped farmers whose products can be difficult to sell during extreme weather.
Tappin said the controlled environment allows the farm to display produce that would struggle in summer heat.
“I think it's amazing, especially for produce when it's like 80, 90, 100 degrees outside,” Tappin said.
For Sugar House Bakery, the market has been especially important because the Vancouver-based business was just getting started when it began selling at the market.
“Well, considering we just started this business, we wouldn't have had a place to even start if it weren't for here,” Jared Taylor said. “I think it's safe to say without the Battle Ground Farmers Market, there's no way we would have had some of the business opportunities we've already had in the short amount of time we've been operating.”
Taylor said the exposure has already led to potential opportunities to place Sugar House Bakery cookies in other businesses in the Vancouver area.
Brush Prairie Farms has also benefited from the market extending into the fall and holiday seasons. Owner Tera Angvall said that continued customer traffic has provided income during a time when farming can be more financially difficult.
“It has helped so much,” Angvall said. “And, so, last year was the first year that we felt like this is so great going into the holiday season.”
Angvall also said the indoor location has reduced the challenges of selling meat during extreme weather.
“When it's 100 degrees outside, I can't do markets those days,” Angvall said. “So, I don't have to worry about that here. And when it's raining, we still have plenty of customers because they want to get out of the rain.”
For other vendors, the market has provided opportunities beyond direct sales.
Wooden Planet owner Mike Perkins said he has received referrals for his personalized woodworking and portrait work through his time at the market.
“It's been really good. I've gotten a lot of referrals for side business,” Perkins said.
The market has also helped newer businesses such as Grow Girl Greenery build name recognition. The greenery, which has been operating for about a year, sells decorated plants and other products.
“We've met a lot of great people here,” said Trish Morgan, owner of Grow Girl Greenery. “But most of all, obviously we're here because we want to sell our product and get our name out there.”
Across the market, the five vendors interviewed said the indoor space has offered a consistent place to reach customers while allowing small businesses to build connections that extend beyond a single Saturday sale.
The Battle Ground Farmers Market is owned and operated by the Battle Ground Hospitality Collective, which was founded by brothers Camden and Mac Spiller, who also own The Reflector, as part of their stated desire to support small businesses and invest in the local community.
The Battle Ground Farmers Market, located at 15 NE Grace Ave., began its fall season on Sept. 5. It will continue through Saturday, Nov. 21. It is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
