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Why organize FFM?The coral reefs of the world are in peril as a result of negative effects of numerous human activities. The marine aquarium trade plays a role in that decline. As a hobbyist and an avid scuba diver, I know that I play a part in damaging the reefs that I love so much. The hobby that we all take part in pulls ten of thousands of corals out of the oceans each year, with a focus on finding the rare and hard to find specimens. Many of these corals end up dying in collection, shipping, and acclimation, adding to the problem. From there, many end up dead by being put into insufficient home reef environments due to poor education/training. FFM stemmed from my idea that if I create a venue for hobbyists to be able to sell "home grown" corals, I could encourage more people to take the time to do more fragging in their tanks and ensure that there are more aquacultured corals available within the hobby. |
What is a "Frag Farmer's Market?Inspired by the idea of the the reef club frag swap, and the local farmer's market, the New England Frag Farmer's Market has become the biggest single day coral event in the country, with over 1800 people in attendance at the 2024 FFM.. It brings together almost 100 coral "farmers" from all over the country, who come out to show off and sell their home grown crop. The E.O. Smith Coral Project has hosted the FFM for 17 years now, providing a venue for a range of farmers, from small scale hobbyists to the biggest names in coral, to come in and to sell farmed coral frags. With the set-up fee lower than any other show, the hobbyist can set-up next to the big names in coral. Admission has always been low so anyone can come in and chat with the farmers. It becomes a get together of the most passionate and knowledgable coral people in the country.
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Where does all the money go?The original intention for the proceeds from the Frag Farmer's Market was to support the E.O. Smith Coral Project, the coral growing systems and program that I started at E.O. Smith, where I teach. As we all know, keeping a successful reef aquarium can be an expensive proposition, and even with the support of the school, I did not feel it was fair to draw more funds from my public school budget, taking away from other programs, so I created a way to make the project self funded. The first few FFM's provided enough funds for the program to keep going through the year (more or less...). As the FFM grew in popularity, the proceeds have become more than enough to support the school project, allowing me to buy the equipment that my students need to continue their work and research. I have also been lucky enough to be able to help out a number of other schools, who are starting up similar projects, to help them get the gear that they need to get their projects up and running. To date, I have helpe seven different schools to buy equipment, including lights, skimmers, salt, etc... I have also been able to take over one of the scholarships that E.O. Smith gives every year. I have given over $10000 in scholarships to graduating students who are going on to study marine biology, conservation, or a related field. It has been awesome to be able to give back to the area schools, my students and the hobby! | |
Why Include Shops at the FFM?I have been approached by a number of people who ask me, "Why let shops set-up at the Frag Farmer's Market? Isn't it supposed to be for the hobbyist?" The original intention was to create a venue for hobbyists to sell their homegrown corals. My thinking has always been that if I give the hobbyist a chance to make money on corals that they have grown, they will be more likely to spend time fragging and growing corals at home. With that focus in mind, having shops at the FFM, selling full colonies, seems to be counter to the theme of the Frag Farmer's. I think that including shops has a few benefits for the hobby. |
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Special Thanks A special thanks to CaribSea for being a HUGE supporter of the school project from the very start and continue to offer their products to the project to ensure its success.. Thanks! 
A thanks to Tropic Marin for their continued support of the E.O. Smith Coral Project and for being the offical salt sponsor of the project. Thanks! 
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2026 FFM Special Guest!
Diverman will be in attendance at the FFM again this year. Make sure to stop by and get a picture with him! |
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2025 New England Frag Farmer's Market Vendor List
| 2025 New England Frag Farmer's Market Supporters and Donations |
Reef Clubs Participating in the 2025 New England Frag Farmer's Market |
