Farmers Market Survival in Appalachia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The farming industry contributed $134.7 billion to the United States economy or roughly 0.6 percent of GDP. Farmers operating during the COVID-19 pandemic faced challenges receiving funding, retaining staff, and competing with national conglomerates. A value central to farmers includes workable solutions to feeding communities. The problem for minority farmers in Appalachia is magnetized when considering their lack of access to resources. This article highlights minority farmers’ and farmers markets’ contributions to the region and their struggles. I interviewed members of Organization X, a non-profit organization that seeks to provide multiple resources for Kentucky farmers and families, to understand the resources and barriers minority farmers in Appalachia encounter to during the COVID-19 pandemic. The best way to reach this understanding was to speak with individuals working directly with minority farmers and famer’s markets. The researcher was interested in understanding what resources minority farmers used to survive in the Appalachian region due to the region’s poverty and recent small business closures. This understanding could help farmers leverage resources to reduce the impacts of external market forces. In a personal interview, I asked representatives of the non-profit organization, Organization X, “What barriers do minority farm owners face in sustaining their operations? How has COVID-19 impacted minority farmers and farmers markets? What has your organization learned in meeting the needs of the community, and what are the future opportunities for farmers in Appalachia?” I used the SET framework to provide an understanding on customer-farmer relationships. This research helps further knowledge on tools minority farmers can use to sustain their businesses.