The Caldwell Farmers Market announced the launch of a Youth Entrepreneur Program Thursday that will provide Canyon County children and teenagers ages 10-17 with their own vendor booths at the Saturday market to sell homemade products, baked goods, artwork, and garden produce — giving young people hands-on experience with the fundamentals of running a small business while earning real income. The program, developed in partnership with the Junior Achievement of Idaho and the University of Idaho Canyon County Extension office, will debut when the market opens May 10 at Indian Creek Plaza in downtown Caldwell.
Up to 20 youth vendors will be selected for the program each season through an application process that requires participants to develop a simple business plan, set pricing, calculate costs, and describe their product. Once accepted, youth vendors receive a free booth space, a startup kit including signage and display materials, and mentorship from adult business owners who volunteer at the market.
What Youth Vendors Will Sell
Products must be made, grown, or created by the young person themselves — no resale of purchased goods is permitted. Expected offerings include baked goods (cookies, bread, muffins), garden vegetables and herbs grown by the youth vendor, handmade crafts (jewelry, woodwork, pottery), artwork and photography, and specialty items like homemade jams, salsa, and honey from youth-managed beehives.
Market director Teresa Garcia said the program teaches practical skills that traditional classroom education often overlooks. “These kids learn pricing, customer service, inventory management, profit calculation, and marketing — all before they finish high school,” Garcia said. “More importantly, they learn that they can create something of value and earn money through their own effort and creativity. That’s a lesson that lasts a lifetime.”
Business Education Component
The program includes a required three-session business workshop held in April before the market opens. Topics include basic bookkeeping, food safety certification (for food vendors), customer interaction and sales techniques, product presentation, and Idaho cottage food and youth labor laws. Junior Achievement of Idaho provides the curriculum and workshop facilitators, while CWI business students serve as peer mentors for the youngest participants.
Canyon County Extension educator Sarah Perkins noted the program’s natural connection to the county’s existing 4-H program. “Many of our 4-H kids are already growing vegetables, raising animals, and creating crafts,” Perkins said. “The farmers market program gives them a real-world marketplace to sell what they produce and learn business skills alongside their project skills. It’s a perfect complement.”
Community and Family Impact
The program is free for participants — booth fees and insurance costs are covered by a grant from the Caldwell Community Foundation. Families are encouraged to support their young entrepreneurs but are asked to let the children handle transactions, pricing decisions, and customer interactions independently, with adult supervision limited to safety oversight.
All income earned by youth vendors is theirs to keep. The program encourages participants to set savings goals, and the Junior Achievement component includes a session on basic banking, savings, and compound interest designed to help young people develop healthy financial habits early.
What Comes Next
Applications for the 2026 Youth Entrepreneur Program are open through April 15 at caldwellfarmersmarket.org/youth. The three-session business workshop runs April 19, 26, and May 3 at the Caldwell Public Library. The Caldwell Farmers Market operates Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM from May through October at Indian Creek Plaza. Parents and youth with questions can contact the market office at 208-649-5050.