Student: Farmers Market Staff

Job Title
Student: Farmers Market Staff

Requisition Number
SE04403

Department Name
3J5SE: Student Employment

Work Location
Lexington, KY

On Campus/Off Campus
Off Campus

Salary Range
$15+

Type of Position
Student

Position Time Status
Part-Time

Preferred Education/Experience

- Coursework, experience, or personal interest in marketing, sales, communications, business, or entrepreneurship.
- Background or interest in agriculture, horticulture, sustainable farming, or food systems — being able to speak knowledgeably about what we grow and how we grow it is a major advantage.
- Experience with social media content creation, especially in a brand or small-business context (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).
- Previous experience at a farmers market, farm stand, food truck, or other direct-to-consumer food sales environment.
- Experience driving a box truck or similarly sized vehicle.

Hours per Week

10-40
Market days require some early mornings and weekends.

Currently we are looking to staff our Tuesday (8am-2pm), Wendsday (3pm-7pm), Thursday (8am-2pm), Saturday (7am – 3pm), and Sunday (9am-2pm) Markets.

Job Summary

We are seeking outgoing, motivated people to serve as Farmers Market Sales & Marketing Staff for our farm during the Lexington, KY market season for some or all of our markets. This is not a passive booth-sitting role — we are looking for someone who can actively sell product, build customer relationships, and grow our farm’s brand presence across Lexington’s farmers markets.

You will be the face of our farm at market. Your primary job is to move product, create a memorable customer experience, and keep people coming back week after week.

Responsibilities include:

- Actively engaging shoppers — not waiting for them to approach, but drawing them in with product knowledge, samples, conversation, and energy.
- Selling product with purpose: recommending items, suggesting pairings or uses, upselling complementary products, and creating a sense of urgency around limited or seasonal offerings.
- Building and maintaining a visually compelling booth display that attracts foot traffic, highlights featured products, and reflects the farm’s brand and story.
- Developing repeat customer relationships by learning names, preferences, and buying habits, and following up on previous recommendations.
- Communicating the farm’s story, growing practices, and values to customers in a way that is authentic, approachable, and persuasive.
- Identifying opportunities to increase sales — whether that means adjusting the display, changing product placement, bundling items, or recommending new products the farm should bring to market.
- Representing the farm on social media when needed — taking photos at market, capturing customer moments, or posting content that drives traffic to future market days.
- Loading, transporting, and unloading product and market supplies using our market vehicle.
- Setting up and breaking down the full market booth including tent, tables, signage, displays, and product.
Handling all point-of-sale transactions accurately, including cash, card, and mobile payments.
Maintaining a clean, organized, and professional booth throughout the market day.

Reliability and consistency on market days are a must. This role is physically demanding — expect to be on your feet for the full market, lift up to 50 lbs repeatedly, and work outdoors in all weather.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

REQUIRED Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Proven ability to sell — whether through retail, food service, fundraising, or any setting where you had to persuade people and close a transaction. We want someone who is comfortable asking for the sale, not just answering questions.
- Strong communication and people skills with a natural ability to start conversations, read customers, and adapt your approach on the fly.
- Brand awareness — an understanding that everything you do at market (how the booth looks, how you greet people, how you talk about the product) is marketing.
- Valid U.S. driver’s license with a clean driving record and willingness to drive a box truck to and from market locations.
- Reliability and punctuality — the market opens at a set time and the booth must be ready. There is no “running late.”
- Physical ability to stand for 4–6+ hours, lift and carry up to 50 lbs, and set up/tear down equipment outdoors.
- Basic math skills and comfort handling cash and card transactions accurately.
- Professional appearance and positive, energetic attitude.
- Availability for early mornings and weekends as the market schedule requires.

PREFERRED Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Comfort with point-of-sale Square.
- An eye for visual merchandising — knowing how to make a table of produce look irresistible.
- Familiarity with local/seasonal produce and the ability to make preparation and storage recommendations to customers.

Deadline to Apply
06/08/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Anticipated Start Date
05/26/2026