In FFY16 the two LIAs in Mohave County, with the UA Cooperative Extension, Mohave (Mohave Extension) as a lead and the Mohave County Department of Public Health as a coordinating partner, were successful in launching a new farmers’ market in Kingman.  The Mohave Extension first met with key local government groups and officials to create a coalition to develop the market, which has since expanded to over thirty members. 

Key partners include the Kingman Economic Development and Marketing Committee, the Kingman Tourism Department, The UA Master Gardeners, Dig-It Community Gardens, and Route 66 Rotary Club. The coalition has reached maturity with bylaws, subcommittees, and a statement of purpose, and the coalition’s WFCI scores suggest that the collaboration benefits from a strong shared interest in the process and outcomes of their work, a unique purpose, and frequent formal and informal communication between members. As a result of these collaborative efforts, the Kingman farmers’ market received large attendance to their preview event in August, 2016. The market’s opening day during the following month had more than 1,200 shoppers and 22 vendors in attendance.  Social media and local news coverage, as well as a market interest questionnaire conducted with residents, were key in getting the word out about the new market.

“The Mohave Extension is ensuring that a core element of the market keeps SNAP/WIC recipients’ interests in the forefront and that access to this market will reach and consider the needs of these populations.”