For Families Eyes Only

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The farmers market in your community is a really awesome tool for teaching family values. And not just for the kids, either… the entire family will benefit.

Image by a little tune via Flickr

Farmers Market Buyers

Have everyone assume the role of buyer, age permitting. Endless possibilities here…

• Do a quick inventory at home
• Make a list of what is needed
• Go to the farmers market and look for items on the list
• Visit with the vendors. Ask them about their products…
  • Did they personally make or grow it, or do they know who did
  • Where is their studio or farm
  • Their suggestions for how to best use their product
• Talk price -- a certain back and forth, or haggling, is expected and is part of the atmosphere, and can be a fun math tool for kids.

Farmers Market Sellers

Another interesting possibility is to take on the role of seller, or vendor. This will take some planning, but can develop into some serious family values.

• Family meetings to decide what the product will be, and to plan the venue
• Assigning everyone responsibilities, based on their abilities
• Deciding on consequences when assignments aren’t done
• Enforcing these consequences
• Surprising everyone with periodic bonus activities for accomplishments and goals reached
• Don’t forget to decide on what to do with the monies earned… or whatever the “payment” is
• Have everyone involved write down, or video/audio record, what they learned from the whole process. Ask them what they learned about themselves, about each other, about their family. Then asked them what surprised them the most, and what they would do differently next time.

Helpful Farmers Market Resources

No doubt, taking the role of the seller could be daunting. Check out Farmers Market -- References and Resources  for practical suggestions.

Lots of great family values can be learned and taught at a farmers market.

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(Disclaimer: The above affiliate links are for family values products that will provide compensation to us if a purchase is made.)