Farmer’s/Farmers’/Farmers — So which is it?

The great apostrophe debate has continued for many years. Why the confusion? As it turns out, the conventions used by two of the most reputable grammar references, the Associated Press Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style, differ from one another. Here’s a breakdown:

Farmer’s Market: This version is generally considered incorrect as it indicates singular possession. Unless your local market is owned by only one farmer, this one can be eliminated from the debate.

Farmers’ Market: The Chicago Manual of Style considers this the most accurate version. It is meant to reflect the fact that there are multiple farmers running each market, therefore meriting a plural possessive noun.

Farmers Market: According to the AP Stylebook, this version is most appropriate because although markets may be supplied by multiple farmers, they are not necessarily owned by those farmers. As such, “farmers” serves as a descriptor rather than a possessive noun.

Photo by Carole Topalian