That is another thing I have kicked around but I hate the idea of asking people for more $ to get in early. It just feels like that is scraping for more $... 11am doors open. If it is anything like the past few years, there is quite a line. I am going to have two people doing entrance fees this year to make it go a bit quicker.
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******* To read about the changes to the marketplace click here
FFM Frag Farmers market
- Thread starter wilfx
- Start date
make sure u bring a white led flashlight so u can see true coral color and not getting the beer goggle effect when u get home and say thats not what i bought i thought it was adiff color and dont forget ur coolrs one for the corals one for the beers go earlie get the good deals but dont wonder to far make sure ur around for the steals at the end of the day most people dont wanna haul stuff home and are flexible at packup time hope this help u all =)
I've gotten a ton of emails and PM"s with questions about the FFM, so I decided to put together the FFM FAQ list. Here it goes:
It is the single biggest aggregation of coral sellers you will ever see. The FFM does have some dry goods vendors as well but that is not included in the 60+ sellers, those are ALL coral sellers. If you are looking for frags, or just want to hang out and talk reefs with some of the best growers in the area, you want the FFM. There are not speakers, or anything like that, it is coral, coral and more coral. You will find everything from the basic “weed” species to the coral that you have never heard of, or only seen on the internet.
How do I get tickets?
There are no advanced ticket sales for the FFM. Admission is $5 at the door and no one will be turned away. Spouses and children under 12 are free at the FFM, so bring the crew along. Doors open to the public at 11am and close at 5pm.
What should I bring?
Most people will bring along a cooler of some sort to hold their corals in for the day. Other than that, you don’t need much. I always recommend bringing about 2-3X the money that you think you will spend. I have never heard of anyone who said “I brought too much money.” The FFM only happens once a year and it brings together the best coral vendors and hobbyists from all over the country. You will find what you are looking for and then three other things you can’t leave without!
Can I sell coral at the FFM?
There are 60+ vendors at the FFM, all of whom signed up far in advance, and made a donation to the school project to reserve a space. In fairness to them, there will not be spaces provided for attendees to sell. If you are interested in selling next year, please get in touch with me at swansonjl@hotmail.com and I will add you to the contact list.
Where does all the money go?
The FFM is the main fundraiser for the E.O. Smith Coral project, which has been up and running for 10+ years now. I house 800+ gallons of coral growing systems at the school and involve students in the project in a number of ways. The admissions, and raffle proceeds, all go to help run the project. It gives me the ability to buy corals that students want to work with, and equipment that they need to carry out their experiments. With the success of the FFM over the past few years, I have also started giving out scholarships to graduating students who have shown interest in marine/conservation related fields. Last year I gave $500 to two graduating seniors and am hoping to do more this year!
How does the raffle work?
The main raffle will be pulled at 4pm, just before the market closes. Raffle tickets are available from a few people walking around during the day with the blue FFM shirts on, or from me in room 107. The tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 25 for $20.
I have also started an “Easy Raffle List” for people to sign up for on the computer in my room, or on the laptops by the entrance. You put in your information and get a number. Rather than write all of your info on all of your tickets (which is a PAIN!), you just put your number. If you are not there when you win, no worries, I can get it touch with you!
Do I have to be present to win?
For most items, no. I will ship any item that it is feasible to ship. Items that cannot be shipped, will be labeled with a “No Ship” tag. If I can’t ship it and you live “close” we can work something out to get the item to you. If you are not sure, stop and see me and we can figure something out. The week after the FFM, I spend a fair amount of time packing and mailing things to people. As an attendee to other shows, I there have been a ton of raffles that I didn’t enter because I wasn’t going to be there to win. If you find something you really want, buy some tickets, throw em in and I will do my best to get it to you.
If you have any other questions, just shoot me a PM, or an email and I will do what I can to help you out!
Thanks-
Jon
Frag Farmer's Market FAQ
Why go to the FFM?It is the single biggest aggregation of coral sellers you will ever see. The FFM does have some dry goods vendors as well but that is not included in the 60+ sellers, those are ALL coral sellers. If you are looking for frags, or just want to hang out and talk reefs with some of the best growers in the area, you want the FFM. There are not speakers, or anything like that, it is coral, coral and more coral. You will find everything from the basic “weed” species to the coral that you have never heard of, or only seen on the internet.
How do I get tickets?
There are no advanced ticket sales for the FFM. Admission is $5 at the door and no one will be turned away. Spouses and children under 12 are free at the FFM, so bring the crew along. Doors open to the public at 11am and close at 5pm.
What should I bring?
Most people will bring along a cooler of some sort to hold their corals in for the day. Other than that, you don’t need much. I always recommend bringing about 2-3X the money that you think you will spend. I have never heard of anyone who said “I brought too much money.” The FFM only happens once a year and it brings together the best coral vendors and hobbyists from all over the country. You will find what you are looking for and then three other things you can’t leave without!
Can I sell coral at the FFM?
There are 60+ vendors at the FFM, all of whom signed up far in advance, and made a donation to the school project to reserve a space. In fairness to them, there will not be spaces provided for attendees to sell. If you are interested in selling next year, please get in touch with me at swansonjl@hotmail.com and I will add you to the contact list.
Where does all the money go?
The FFM is the main fundraiser for the E.O. Smith Coral project, which has been up and running for 10+ years now. I house 800+ gallons of coral growing systems at the school and involve students in the project in a number of ways. The admissions, and raffle proceeds, all go to help run the project. It gives me the ability to buy corals that students want to work with, and equipment that they need to carry out their experiments. With the success of the FFM over the past few years, I have also started giving out scholarships to graduating students who have shown interest in marine/conservation related fields. Last year I gave $500 to two graduating seniors and am hoping to do more this year!
How does the raffle work?
The main raffle will be pulled at 4pm, just before the market closes. Raffle tickets are available from a few people walking around during the day with the blue FFM shirts on, or from me in room 107. The tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 25 for $20.
I have also started an “Easy Raffle List” for people to sign up for on the computer in my room, or on the laptops by the entrance. You put in your information and get a number. Rather than write all of your info on all of your tickets (which is a PAIN!), you just put your number. If you are not there when you win, no worries, I can get it touch with you!
Do I have to be present to win?
For most items, no. I will ship any item that it is feasible to ship. Items that cannot be shipped, will be labeled with a “No Ship” tag. If I can’t ship it and you live “close” we can work something out to get the item to you. If you are not sure, stop and see me and we can figure something out. The week after the FFM, I spend a fair amount of time packing and mailing things to people. As an attendee to other shows, I there have been a ton of raffles that I didn’t enter because I wasn’t going to be there to win. If you find something you really want, buy some tickets, throw em in and I will do my best to get it to you.
If you have any other questions, just shoot me a PM, or an email and I will do what I can to help you out!
Thanks-
Jon
Absolutely! With so many vendors, there really isn't a bad time to show up. Tons of corals and some amazing deals at around end time!
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Just some quick notes on some of the things that will be in the raffle at the FFM this year. This is not everything (and you could argue not even the best prize...)
Or how about some clown/dottyback pairs from Soren up at Sea and Reef?
Lightning Maroon Clownfish pair
DaVinci Clownfish grade A pair
DaVinci Clownfish grade B pair
Flurry Clownfish pair
Domino Clownfish pair
Picasso A Clownfish pair
Spotcinctus Clownfish pair
Orchid dottyback pair
Neon Dottyback pair
Great to be able to include aquacultured fish as part of the FFM again!
All this stuff and that is not even the corals that people will be bringing...
See you all in a few days...
Or how about some clown/dottyback pairs from Soren up at Sea and Reef?
Lightning Maroon Clownfish pair
DaVinci Clownfish grade A pair
DaVinci Clownfish grade B pair
Flurry Clownfish pair
Domino Clownfish pair
Picasso A Clownfish pair
Spotcinctus Clownfish pair
Orchid dottyback pair
Neon Dottyback pair
Great to be able to include aquacultured fish as part of the FFM again!
All this stuff and that is not even the corals that people will be bringing...
See you all in a few days...
jamesdong009
Anthony
I'll be manning the BRS table again this year so make sure you come and say hi .
.
J
jokersplayground
Guest
The wife and I will be there
I don't know if anyone in your area was on the fence about the FFM this year but I was up there last night for set-ups and I have to say it is easily the best year for coral selection. Every year I see stuff that I have never seen before, but this year was AMAZING! There are so many sellers with so many corals it was scary and the prices that I had talked to people about were GREAT. If you were even considering coming out to pick up a few frags, you should definitely make the trip this year. To add to it, the raffle is the best it has ever been with an Apex jr., Ecotech Radion, multiple frag tanks, lighting fixtures, Sea and Reef Fish, a ton of corals, and a HUGE host of other things - there are no containers of fish food here for sure!
Hope to see you all out today- stop by and say "Hi" while you are there!
Jon
Hope to see you all out today- stop by and say "Hi" while you are there!
Jon
I may set up a small frag tank, looking at that one on the desk it looks nice do you know the make?
Jim
Jim
