5.3.
| Environmental Policy Board (EPB) |
| Meeting Date: | 01/12/2026 |
| Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: | {ud_pd8} |
Information
Title:
Consider Participation at New Ramsey Farmers Market
Purpose/Background:
The Ramsey Parks and Recreation Department has identified a need for, and received unanimous support from City Council, to create a municipal Farmers Market for the 2026 season. The purpose of this case is for Staff to provide a high-level overview of the market and propose participation from the Environmental Policy Board (EPB).
Market Information:
The market will be hosted in the parking lot at The Draw on Tuesdays, June 16 – October 6, from 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. This location was selected as a central, recognizable space for residents and provides a vendor-friendly layout with room for future growth.
The Ramsey Farmers Market is designed as a “producer-first market”, prioritizing farmers and food producers. However, Staff finds it important to include elements of our business community and local makers too, but those components will be intentionally limited, so the market remains focused on food access and local agriculture.
Additional market features may vary from week to week, but may include limited artisans, food trucks, business features, city departments/community partners and programmable elements.
The tentative schedule for the 2026 Ramsey Farmers Market is as follows:
Market Information:
The market will be hosted in the parking lot at The Draw on Tuesdays, June 16 – October 6, from 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. This location was selected as a central, recognizable space for residents and provides a vendor-friendly layout with room for future growth.
The Ramsey Farmers Market is designed as a “producer-first market”, prioritizing farmers and food producers. However, Staff finds it important to include elements of our business community and local makers too, but those components will be intentionally limited, so the market remains focused on food access and local agriculture.
Additional market features may vary from week to week, but may include limited artisans, food trucks, business features, city departments/community partners and programmable elements.
The tentative schedule for the 2026 Ramsey Farmers Market is as follows:
| Date | Themes/Promotions |
| June 23 | Opening Celebration |
| June 30 | Water Week |
| July 7 | Parks and Recreation Month |
| July 14 | Art Night |
| July 21 | Healthy You, Healthy Community |
| July 28 | Taste of the Season |
| August 4 | Community Night |
| August 11 | Kids Night |
| August 18 | Seniors Night |
| August 25 | From Market to Pantry |
| September 1 | Veteran's Night |
| September 8 | Back to School |
| September 15 | Safety Week |
| September 22 | Fall Harvest |
| September 29 | Civic Engagement |
| October 6 | Closing Celebration |
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the EPB consider using the Ramsey Farmers Market as a platform to promote sustainability initiatives and connect with residents in a neutral, community-focused setting. Participation does not need to align with a themed market night. However, some nights may provide natural opportunities for coordination.
Potential examples include the June 23 market, which coincides with National Pollinator Week and could support outreach related to pollinator-friendly practices, native plantings, or available resources, and the September 22 market, which may align well with promotion of the City’s fall recycling event, fall yard preparation, or other seasonal sustainability efforts.
Staff welcomes input from the EPB on whether there is interest and willingness on the Board's part to staff a table at the Farmers Market for one of the dates. If so, the EPB should contemplate preferred dates, topics, and methods of engagement. Staff are also open to additional ideas that align with the Board's priorities. Participation can be flexible and scaled based on interest and capacity.
Potential examples include the June 23 market, which coincides with National Pollinator Week and could support outreach related to pollinator-friendly practices, native plantings, or available resources, and the September 22 market, which may align well with promotion of the City’s fall recycling event, fall yard preparation, or other seasonal sustainability efforts.
Staff welcomes input from the EPB on whether there is interest and willingness on the Board's part to staff a table at the Farmers Market for one of the dates. If so, the EPB should contemplate preferred dates, topics, and methods of engagement. Staff are also open to additional ideas that align with the Board's priorities. Participation can be flexible and scaled based on interest and capacity.
Outcome/Action:
Provide direction on Environmental Policy Board interest in participating in the 2026 Ramsey Farmers Market, including preferred date(s) and general areas of focus for outreach or education.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Brian Hagen | 01/08/2026 03:23 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Chris Anderson
- Started On:
- 01/06/2026 03:29 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 01/08/2026