Dear Potential Herb Faire Vendors:

The 2019 Madison Herb Society Herb Fair will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We hope you will consider joining us for the Herb Society's biggest event of the year! As many of our veteran vendors know, this is event is well attended and a great deal of fun. Olbrich Gardens believes that more than 1,000 attendees were at last year's event. Surveys of last year's vendors report great satisfaction with their sales. For new vendors, we'd like to welcome you and help you get off to a great start, so please feel free to let us know how we may assist you.

We have a total of 16 vendor spots and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please send in your application materials and payment promptly to reserve your space since we have several new vendors interested in attending.

This year’s Herb Fair will again focus on herbal education with the theme of “Wisconsin's Wild and Native Herbs”. You may want to tie the theme into your products offerings, handouts etc.

Note that vendors may not offer artificial or non-herbal products at the Fair. We welcome the following types of herbal products: herbal teas and tinctures, herbal body care products, herbal books and artworks, herbal vinegars and preserves, other herbal food products, dried and fresh herbs and plants, décor incorporating herbs and similar items.  If you are uncertain whether a product is appropriate, please inquire.

Please note that Herb Fair vendors must provide a list of all the types of products you plan to sell as part the application. Your list of products will be helpful in our publicity efforts and our handout to Herb Fair visitors.

All vendors must assume responsibility for compliance with applicable food safety laws. Please be aware that Wisconsin has a Cottage Food Law that allows homemade canned goods. Wisconsin’s Cottage Food Law applies only to producers with $5,000 or less in sales per year, and they may only sell at farmers markets and other community events (such as the Herb Faire). All sales must be made in-person and go directly from the producer to the consumer. Home producers are allowed to make jams, jellies, pickled goods, sauces, and any other canned goods that are acidic enough to be safe (needs a pH under 4.6). Here is a link that outlines Wisconsin specifics regarding the cottage food law.

For information about baked goods sale guidelines visit the Madison Health Department. 

Setup will be on Saturday, from 7 a.m.– 8:30 a.m., which will give you one and a half hours. You need to supply your own table or display, but Olbrich has CHAIRS available. Two chairs will be provided to each vendor. Please enter through the side door (west) at Olbrich, not the main front door entrance. All vendors must have setup completed by 8:45 am. Vendors who do not arrive by this time will NOT be allowed to set up. We will not be able to setup on Friday, nor can we access Olbrich Gardens prior to 7 a.m.

Following setup, you are required to move your vehicles to the back parking lot, leaving the closer-in parking places available for Faire attendees and Olbrich visitors.

We are having three speakers throughout the course of the day (in another room) as usual.

Enclosed you will find:

1. Vendor and Membership Application Form
2. Vendor Site Map
3. Tax Information Sheet

Your payment as a vendor covers your membership in the Madison Herb Society, so you don't need to make two payments, but please fill out both applications forms. Thank You.

An electronic press release, including a copy of the Herb Fair poster, will be sent to you once you are accepted for participation in the 2019 Herb Fair, so that you can help publicize the event to your customers.

If you are interested in giving a program or workshop at a future fair or at one of our monthly meetings on your area of specialty, please let us know so that we can consider you for the future.

We hope you will be part of Madison Herb Society's 2019 Herb Fair.

Thank you and welcome,
Sheila Leary
President, Madison Herb Society