2026 Farmers Market on the Square Application

Ok, rules first:

• 2026 Regular Market Season: Saturdays April 11 - July 18. We'll reopen in the Fall on the 2nd and 4th Saturday during September/October. Market may close early if all products are sold out. The Market will be held in Downtown El Dorado around the Square. We will utilize the parking spots around the courthouse with all booths facing the sidewalk. We will start along Jefferson St. and continue around the courthouse as needed.

• Additional pop-up events may arise (e.g. Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc)

• Application must be filled out each year with current contact information.

• All produce must be grown in Arkansas. Special circumstances may be approved at the managers discretion, if you're in a bordering parish in Louisiana or very near by, please still apply. We could potentially be open to your submission.

• Booth spaces are 10x10. Tables & displays must be provided by vendor.

• Vendor fee is $10 (produce seller) and $15 (non-produce seller)

• Vendor is responsible for cleaning his/her booth & hauling off own trash.

• Taxes/Department of Health regulations – vendor’s responsibility.

• Must have a sign indicating location where all products/produce are from or grown. The sign shall include name of vendor/farm.

• Prices must be displayed for buyers to see.

• Produce can be sold by weight ONLY if a certified scale is used to determine weight. Otherwise produce/products may be sold by the piece, box, basket, bunch, dozen, or bushel.

• All produce/products must be cleaned, wholesome, and reasonably priced.

• Baked goods must have a label containing: name of business/vendor, address of business/vendor, ingredients, and words “This product is home-produced” in 10pt. type. It must NOT make any nutritional claims.

• Items allowed without permit: Bakery items, brownies (containing legal ingredients), cakes(without cream icing), cookies, jam, jellies, maple syrup, sorghum, fruit butter, honey, farm fresh eggs (must be refrigerated & in unmarked container), frozen meats (commercially inspected, passed, labeled USDA; kept frozen in freezer units until sold; held, stored, transported in clean sanitary environment; labeled USDA, name of product, net weight, USDA safe handling instructions).

• Items requiring a Department of Health permit: cheesecake, cream cheese based frosting or filling; custard pies; cured meats; dried fruits, dried vegetables, dried herbs; dried meats; juices; meringue pies; milled grain, flour, meal; pickled vegetables; salad; shelled peas, nuts; smoked meats; sprouted beans, seeds, pickles, relish, and salsa.(These items are restricted by the Arkansas Health Dept. and may have more requirements in addition to the commercial kitchen. Some items may still not be allowed at the Farmers Market on the Square. Any item on this list should be discussed with market manager and Health Dept. officials (870) 863-5101)

• Items NOT allowed at the market to sell: homemade cheeses, raw milk, wild harvested mushrooms, or live animals (Arkansas law).

• Crafts must be handmade and approved by the Market Manager.

• No re-sale arts & crafts permitted. No MLM products. No political solicitations.

• Any non-profit fundraising must be approved by Market Manager.

• Crafters must present pictures to Market Manager for approval before bringing to the market.

• Vendor spaces are assigned by Market Manager according to prior years attendance records and number of years attended. Management reserves the right to relocate vendors as needed. Assigned permanent map will be issued prior to first market. New vendors and non-permanent vendors will have first come, first serve options to any non-reserved spots. 

• Production Requirement: To ensure the market remains a true "grower" outlet, at least 80% of all items displayed at a vendor’s booth must be grown or produced on their own land. A maximum of 20% may be sourced from other local farms or supplemental sources, provided those items meet the market’s quality standards.

Alright, cool. Now that we've got that out of the way:

By my signature (typed name)  below I hereby certify that the above information provided for the purpose of determining my eligibility to participate at the Farmers Market on the Square is accurate. The undersigned applicant shall indemnify, defend and save harmless FMOTS, its vendors and market site owners, against all actions, liability, claims, suits, costs, illness, claims, damages and expenses of any kind, including attorney's fees, which are made against FMOTS arising from the undersigned applicant's negligence, improper conduct or failure to perform or performance of any of its obligations under terms of guidelines, regulations of FMOTS. I agree to comply with all State and Federal guidelines for Farmer's Market Vendors. I have been provided a copy of these regulations. I am also aware that it is my responsibility to pay sales tax on applicable sales. My signature also certifies that I agree to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by FMOTS. I also acknowledge that my membership could be revoked at any time at the discretion of the market manager due to non-compliance with the rules. I give unrestricted permission to Main Street El Dorado and their subsidiaries to take/use visual/audio images/recordings of me and my work. The images will be used to promote Farmers Market on the Square and I agree to waive any right to inspect and approve the images or to be compensated for them.