Farmers Markets have long been a popular tool of Southern state governments for assisting farmers with marketing. A wide variety of markets have received state support. Some states have focused on combined wholesale and retail, others on strictly farmer retail and others on "public" markets with a wide variety of retail outlets in addition to farmers. North Carolina and Georgia have extensive networks of markets and subsidize market operations. Both Florida's and South Carolina's Department of Agriculture manages markets but without a state operating subsidy. Virginia provides construction funds but insists on non-government management.

State Farmers' Markets are a uniquely Southern phenomenon. In other states with strong fresh produce sectors, such as Maryland, private marketing interests have resisted establishment of state markets. Maryland, instead, has created a very cost-effective program to establish locally-run retail farmer's markets (called tailgateor roadside markets in other states). With a state investment of about $100,000 a year (less than a typical state subsidy for one large farmer's market) 32 new farmers' markets have been created since 1990. All are run by local groups and create $15 million in sales for participating farmers. Maryland's Department of Agriculture views this program as a business incubator for small and beginning farmers. A number of farmers have begun producing value-added products (such as goat cheese) to sell at these markets. Most of the markets participate in the WIC Farmers Market Coupon program. The markets seem to have caught on bewt in new residential subdivisions when local farmers have retooled part of their operation to meet the new market provided by the new residents.

Tennessee has pursued the p ublic market concept, with the most successful being the Nashville Farmers Market (Manager: Larry Suitter, 615-880-2001). In addition to retail by Tennessee farmers, this market has restaurants, specialty and vegetables and plants.