Wyoming Farmers Markets Help The Economy

Farmers markets throughout Wyoming contributed more than $2.2 million to the state’s economy in 2012, according to data recently compiled by the Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division.

The information, collected by the Agribusiness Division and run through an economic impact model at the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, found that direct sales of approximately $1.7 million also generated secondary sales of more than $527,000 for a total annual economic contribution to the state’s economy of more than $2.2 million.

Kim Porter, Farmers Market and Education Program Manager at the Business Council, says the results are based on responses collected by the Business Council from farmers markets operating in Wyoming. Porter says the study also found this economic activity supported the equivalent of nearly 20 annual jobs in the state’s economy with labor income totaling nearly $525,000.

The farmers market season runs roughly from June to October with some winter markets available.