We were lucky to catch up with Kasi Haire recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kasi, appreciate you joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My husband, Daniel and I work together in managing our Farmers Market businesses. We both grew up in an entrepreneurial household. Both of our fathers owned service companies and we each played a special role in our fathers’ businesses. Growing up we learned vital lessons of customer service, leadership and the role owning your own business plays within your family. We each feel like this has led us to be more empathetic to the small businesses we work with at the farmers markets. We understand the importance of having flexibility to serve your family while working on a passion. I am thankful for those lessons I learned long ago and am now able to bring to not only my family, but all of the vendors we work with each week.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have managed Farmers Markets in Middle Tennessee for 8 years. It started with a passion for event planning and has turned into a love for providing food for my communities and serving farmers and small business owners. The markets we operate are producer-only. Meaning everything is grown or made by the business represented at the market. We connect our neighborhoods with their local bakers and farmers, artists and nonprofits. We offer SNAP doubling programs, kids produce clubs and donate fresh produce to our local food pantries. We work hard to pay our farmers and vendors a fair price while still giving back to our community. We currently operate 3 weekly markets. Nolensville Farmers Market in Nolensville, TN on Saturdays year-round; Thompson’s Station Farmers Market in Thompson’s Station, TN on Tuesdays from May to October; and Westhaven Farmers Market in Franklin, TN on Wednesdays from May to October. I serve as President to the Board of the Tennessee Association of Farmers Market and serve of the Board of Directors for the Pick TN Conference. I love to share the knowledge that has been shared with me through the small network of Farmers Market Managers throughout Tennessee.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

The community we launched our first farmers market in was the community we lived in and were already connected in. Being involved in several volunteer positions prior to opening our farmers market helped create a customer base that already knew and trusted our team, understood our values and believed in our goals.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think everyone has a 2020 Pivot story. Ours is no different, except we pivoted with the help of our small network of farmers market managers. Before our season was set to open, we spent every day speaking with market managers not only in Tennessee, but around the country – seeing what had worked for them, brainstorming ways to continue to feed our communities and support our farmers safely. These conversations strengthened relationships and we all celebrated each others’ successes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nolensvillefarmersmarket.com
• Instagram: @nolensvillefarmersmarket
• Facebook: Facebook.com/nolensvillefarmersmarket
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasi-haire-a3b74b11/
• Twitter: @nolensvillefm