Last Revised 12/12/25

ARTICLE I – Organization

  1. The name of this organization shall be called the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market.

ARTICLE II – Purpose

  1. Mission: To promote and support local farmers and artisans to build a more sustainable community.
  2. Goals:
  3. To encourage a locally grown available food supply in the Boundary County area featuring variety, quality, freshness and sustainable agriculture.
  4. To give local growers and producers of farm-related products alternative marketing opportunities by providing consumers and local farmers an opportunity for direct interaction.
  5. To provide opportunities for local farms, food producers and artisans to test and refine their products and marketing skills.
  6. To enhance the quality of life in the Boundary County area by providing a community activity which fosters social gathering, education and interaction.

ARTICLE III – Membership and Dues

  1. This Farmers Market will be a producer-only market. Vendors shall sell only products that they themselves grow, harvest, create or produce. No resale, garage sale, flea market or wholesale items are allowed.
  2. No one will be accepted into the market without a completed application and copies of all necessary state permits, licenses, proof of liability insurance (if applicable),and payment of annual dues.
  3. Each vendor business in good standing shall have one vote on board decisions.
  4. Members cannot transfer their membership or voting right to another farmer/vendor/member.
  5. Committees may be established as necessary by the Board. Each committee will be headed by a Board member.
  6. Rules and Regulations: The Rules and Regulations and these by-laws have been established and will be enforced for the smooth operation of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market. All members must observe these rules and by-laws or membership can be revoked by the Board.
  7. Membership Termination: The Board may vote to suspend for a fixed period of time or to expel for the remainder of the year any member for cause. Members have the right to notice before any such action is taken. The BFFM works cooperatively with the ISDA, USDA, Idaho Tax Commission and the City of Bonners Ferry. Violations of any Federal, State or Local laws or regulations or rules of the BFFM will result in suspension of membership without reimbursement of fees.
  8. The Board of Directors shall set the policies of the organization. This includes deciding the rules, location, hours of operation, dues and fee structure and membership requirements and enforcement procedures.

ARTICLE IV – Meetings

  1. General Membership Meeting: There shall be an annual fall general meeting of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market membership each year where nominations are accepted for members of the Board whose term has expired. This meeting shall be held before the end of October.
  2. Regular Board Meetings: Regular Board Meetings will be held monthly. Rules will be reviewed along with fees, dues and budget for the upcoming year to be complete in time for our Spring Vendors meeting in March. All members may participate in the Regular meetings by written request to be on the agenda.
  3. Vendor Meeting: The annual vendors meeting shall be held on or before the second Saturday of April of every year.
  4. Notice will be given at least fourteen days prior to the date of the annual vendors/recruiting meeting via e-mail, phone or written notice.
  5. Additional meetings: Additional meetings may be called by the Board anytime. Each call for a special meeting will state the time, place, and the business of the meeting.

Order of Business: Meetings will follow a standard order of business:

  1. Officer role call and quorum determination
  2. Reading and approval of the minutes
  3. Officer Reports
  4. Committee Reports
  5. Continuing Business
  6. New Business
  7. Adjournment

ARTICLE V – Election of Officers

  1. The nomination of officers shall be by written request and submitted to the Board by the last Saturday of September.
  2. The election of officers shall take place at the October Vendors meeting.
  3. Elections shall be by written ballot with each vendor business limited to one vote.
  4. A simple majority of the present eligible voters is necessary to elect a candidate.
  5. The board will decide positions in January. Preference will be given to current board members for positions.

ARTICLE VI – Board Officers

  1. The business of the market shall be managed by the Board, which shall consist of six Bonners Ferry Farmers Market members and two alternates who are nominated at the October fall meeting and voted on by written ballot. They shall begin their terms starting January of the following year. The alternate member(s) shall be a non-voting position at Board meetings unless there is an absence. In the event of a decision vote tie, Alternate 1 will vote to break the tie.
  2. Terms: Board members will serve a minimum of two-year terms. All positions have the option of being re-elected with a maximum of three consecutive terms. At least three current board members will remain on the board so that at no time does the board consist of no one with experience.
  3. Quorum: The Board shall consist of six members. A quorum for Regular Board Meetings shall consist of at least four board members. All Board members will have equal voting rights.
  4. Vacancies: Vacant seats or unexpired terms shall be appointed from the appropriate membership by a vote of the Board.
  5. Committees: The Board may form committees made up of volunteers from the membership and community, provided, however, each committee shall be lead by a member of the Board.
  6. Duties: In general the duties of the officers will be as follows:
  7. Chair: The Chair shall preside over all meetings, determine meeting dates, time and place, and oversee the management, organization and execution of the business of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market. The Chair will be the intermediary between the Board and the Market Manager
  8. Liaison: The Liaison shall act as an intermediary between the Board & appropriate community and local government organizations. In the absence of the Board Chair the Liaison shall preside over the meetings.
  9. Secretary: The Secretary shall record the minutes of all proceedings of the market, maintain an ongoing list of all market members, maintain up-to-date by-laws, and answer all market emails.
  10. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall process vendor applications, collect all membership fees and maintain a record thereof, allocate all expenses for the Market’s purposes and keep record of those expenses, file tax reports, and make financial reports of the organization. The Treasurer shall be responsible for providing a regular accounting of the moneys and financial transactions. The Treasurer shall be responsible for making the financial transactions necessary to conduct the business of the Market.
  11. Advertising: The Advertiser shall handle the advertising of the market, including overseeing the market website and social media.
  12. Special Events: The Special Events Coordinator will organize music and entertainment for the market and organize special event days.

ARTICLE VII – General Provisions

  1. Market Manager: The Market Manager position is to be filled by the Board each year for a term of one year. The Board will set the pay for the Market Manager. The Market Manager will not be a member of the Board. The Manager’s position will be reviewed yearly. The position may be terminated with a majority vote of the Board. The Market Manager shall attend monthly board meetings.
  2. Other paid positions may be established as needed by the Board.

ARTICLE VIII – Indemnification

  1. Each elected or appointed Board Member or Bonners Ferry Farmers Market Member shall be indemnified by the Market against all expenses and liabilities, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred by or imposed upon him/her in connection with any proceeding or the settlement of any proceeding to which he/she may be a party or may be involved by reason of his/her being or having been a Member or Officer of the Bonners Ferry Farmer’s Market, whether or not he/she is a Member or Officer at the time such expenses are incurred, except when the Member or Officer is adjudged guilty of willful misfeasance or malfeasance in the performance of their duties. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to and exclusive of all other rights and remedies to which such Member or Officer may be entitled.

ARTICLE IX – Expenditures

  1. Proceeds derived from membership fees shall be collected by the Treasurer and Market Manager and used to promote and manage the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market.
  2. Any funds accrued at the end of the year shall be carried over to the following year unless otherwise determined by majority vote of the active members.
  3. The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market will remain intact as long as ten vendors remain in good standing.
  4. Failing that, or if facility or municipal arrangements close the market, the treasury is to be maintained for the period of time required to meet all outstanding bills, taxes, and obligations. All tax and reporting requirements must be satisfied, after which the remaining funds shall be distributed to organizations that serve the Bonners Ferry community.

ARTICLE X – Finances

  1. The Market shall use its funds only to accomplish the purpose and objectives specified in these bylaws, and no part of said funds shall benefit nor be distributed to the Members.
  2. The Market shall have a fiscal year beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of each calendar year.
  3. No obligation of expenses shall be incurred and no money appropriated without prior approval of the Board
  4. The Treasurer shall make an annual budget each year in December for the next operating year to be approved by the Board.
  5. Disbursements shall be made by the Treasurer.

ARTICLE XI – Amending the By-Laws

  1. The Board of Directors may amend these by-laws by a majority vote of six Board Members.
  2. The membership will be informed of all by-law amendments.
  3. The membership may also amend these by-laws by using the following procedure:
  4. Current vendors may call for an amendment to the By-laws by a petition signed by 25% of the current vendors. The Board, on receipt of such petition, shall either accept such amendment or shall organize a ballot on the proposed amendment. The amendment shall be made if 70% of the full members of the Association support it.

ARTICLE XII – Removal of Board Members

  1. Upon a majority vote of the full Board, the Board of Directors will remove a Board member from office for inability or failure to perform the function of a Board member as determined by the Board.

2. A Board member may be removed by the vendors by petition signed by 25% of full members of the Farmers Market. The Board, on receipt of such petition shall either accept such removal or shall organize a ballot on the proposed removal. The removal shall be made if 70% of the full members of the Association support it.

Bonners Ferry Farmers Market Rules

Revised January 2026

 

  1. All Vendors must apply for space by submitting a Vendor Application. Vendors must pay a $25.00 non-refundable application fee with submitted application. Upon approval, an Annual Membership Fee for each 10×10 space of $125 will be due or a weekly fee of $25 per 10×10 space. This is to offset expenses for advertising, on-site Idaho nursery license & liability insurance, City of Bonners Ferry business license & space rental, market website, signs, market events, printing, postage & more. Fees are payable by cash, check, or PayPal (bfidfm@gmail.com) if paying with PayPal an additional $5 must be paid to cover fees.

The payment and application can be submitted at the Spring Vendor Meeting or by printing it off the website and mailing it to the Farmers Market. No application will be considered without the application fee. Upon approval, the $125 annual season fee will be due and payable prior to first day of set-up. This application will constitute an agreement between the vendor and the Market to abide by the policies and rules of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market. 1. Market hours are Saturday 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Setup may begin no earlier than 6:00 am but no later than 7:00 am.

 

  1. NEW vendors are required to submit 3 photos that represent the items they wish to sell with their application. Submissions will be reviewed by the board and applicants notified of approval prior to Opening Day. To be considered for the entire market, applications need to be received by a date posted yearly by the board. Applications received after this will be considered at the next regular board meeting and applicants notified within five days.

 

  1. 3. Vendors who want to use the electricity available at the market must pay an extra $25 fee for the year. Electrical outlets are only available in limited spaces. Vendors must bring their own extension cord with a minimum length of 100 feet. Vendors with electric spots must arrive by 6am to avoid traffic issues and ensure the safety of other vendors since these spaces are easily blocked by vendors in spaces across from them.

 

  1. Each vendor is allotted one 10′ x 10′ space. All vehicles and trailers must be parked off site. The goal is to create a market layout complimentary to all vendors and the market as a whole. You may request a specific space number on the application form. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee requests will be granted. Any reserved space not filled by 7 am may be filled with another vendor unless prior arrangements have been made by calling the Market Manager.

 

  1. Vendors must be residents of the contiguous counties/province including & bordering Boundary County: Bonner County, Pend Oreille County (Washington), Lincoln County (Montana), southern British Columbia (Canada), all within 50 miles of Bonners Ferry. Boundary County residents will have preference.

 

  1. Vendors shall sell only products that they themselves grow, harvest, create, or produce within 50 miles of Bonners Ferry. No reselling. Selling for others may be considered by the board. No garage sale, flea market or wholesale items are permitted.

 

  1. All products must comply with state and local Health and ISDA rules. Please check their requirements to see how this applies to you. Vendors whose food types require licensing must have their actual farmers’ market stand, equipment, and services (includes kitchen) inspected by an Idaho Health District Environmental Health Officer. Copies of these licenses and inspections must be displayed at your booth before sales can take place.

 

  1. You are responsible for obtaining your own product liability insurance. The Farmers Market has liability insurance that covers accidents only.

 

  1. Vendors must comply with all state & local laws, ordinances, and regulations and those of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market. The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market works cooperatively with the USDA, ISDA, Panhandle Health Dept, Idaho Tax Commission and the City of Bonners Ferry. Violations of any US, State or local laws or regulations will result in suspension of membership without reimbursement of fees. Any resulting fines shall be the responsibility of the violating vendors. The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market Board of Directors and market vendors will follow the law under counsel of these authorities.

 

  1. All vendors are required to get a sales tax permit. Vendors must register with the Idaho Tax Commission each year before any sales take place. Vendors who make over $5000 in annual sales must collect and pay 6% sales tax to Idaho State. This digital system is new and replaces the ST-124 paper form used previously. To register, go to https://idahotap.gentax.com/TAP/_/scroll down to Sellers and Promoters and click on “Register as a Temporary Seller or Promoter.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “Seller WITH Event ID” and then “Next.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “I am going to an event” and then “Next.” You will then enter the Event ID for BFFM which is on page 1 of this document click “Next” and fill out all your information. Once complete, you will get an email with your TSP attached. Print and bring it with you to each market. Idaho Tax Commission will send us a list the day before opening day and if you are not on that list, you will not be able to set up. You will notice if you plan to be here all season you need to do this twice. TSP are only valid for 90 days.

 

  1. All vendors must obtain a City of Bonners Ferry Business License. Vendors who make over $5000 in annual sales must pay the 1% city sales tax directly to the City of Bonners Ferry. Vendors will collect and pay the tax themselves and will no longer fall under the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market’s city tax umbrella. A copy of the City of Bonners Ferry business license must be displayed at your booth.

 

  1. NO DUMPING IS ALLOWED. Vendors are not allowed to give products away or at unreasonably low prices, thus undercutting potential sales of other vendors. Please take time to know your production costs and set your prices at a fair market value.

 

  1. Vendors must be present during market times. You may substitute a family member or on-farm employee occasionally if the need arises. Vendors must be 18 years of age or older- vendors under 18 must always have an adult over the age of 21 present with them during all market hours.

 

  1. Please take into consideration that you are part of your display and that the market is a family-oriented venue. We aim for a clean, attractive look at the market. Please leave your space cleaner than you found it. No smoking or vaping is allowed in the market area- please be considerate and smoke/vape where no customers or vendors will be impacted by the smoke.

 

  1. WIND-PROOFING YOUR CANOPY IS MANDATORY EVERY MARKET DAY with weights and tie-downs on all 4 legs to protect customers & vendors from blow-overs. Wind or no wind, you are required to have weights and tie downs. Do not release ties until you have enough help to maintain control. Your display must also stay within your 10’x10′ space (including canopy legs) and not block access to other vendor’s spaces. 30-40 pounds per leg is recommended.

 

  1. Safety is of paramount importance at the Market. Please ensure that all cords or tripping hazards are properly taped down. Please ensure that all items in your booth are wind proofed and fall proofed.

 

  1. All animals for sale or display must be contained or on a leash at all times. Vendors are not to have pets at the Market. Per Panhandle Health no food sales shall take place in a booth with animal sales.

 

  1. Consequences of not following the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market rules: a. First Offence: verbal warning from the Market Manager to correct the violation. b. Second Offence: written warning from the Market Manager to correct the violation. c. Third Offence: consequences of action from the board. This will include temporary or permanent suspension from the market for the season at the board’s discretion. Written notice will be provided, and consequences will be enforced. There will be no refund of vendor fees when suspended.

 

  1. Any problems or suggestions may be submitted to the Board of Directors via email to board@bonnersferryfarmersmarket.org. This will ensure a relaxed atmosphere with good communication between all vendors.

 

Food Rules & Guidelines
The rules for selling food products to the public are explained in the Idaho Food Code (IDAPA 16.02.19) and its updates, which are available online at www.foodsafety.idaho.gov or from our local Panhandle Health District, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, or the University of Idaho Food and Technology Center (www.ag.uidaho.edu/ftc). The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has published a useful manual Starting a Specialty Food Business that may be obtained free of charge by calling (208) 332-8530.

For more information contact our local District Health Department listed below: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Food Protection Program 450 W. State Street Boise, ID 83720 Tel: (208) 334-5938 Fax: (208) 332-7307 www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov or Panhandle District Health Department 8500 N. Atlas Road Coeur d’Alene, ID 83835 Tel: (208) 415-5200 www.phd1.idaho.gov