Special Events at your Farmers Market

Video Launches Thurs. 2/18/2021 at 10AM

Attend this session on the use of Special Events to make your market a 'must attend' event for customers and vendors. Hear panelists discuss the use of timely and appropriate special events to advance the aura of market activity and enhance customer enjoyment and participation while maintaining and enhancing the market’s core values. Tips on involving local partners, promoting product availability, reaching an enlarged pool of customers while building and maintaining a loyal customer base.
Presenters:

LIVE: Questions & Answers with State of Iowa Contacts

Video Launches Thurs. 2/25/2021 at 10AM

Join Paul Ovrom, State Horticulturist, Kurt Rueber, State Environmental Specialist, and Dr. Shannon Coleman, ISU Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist, Food Safety and Consumer Production during this live meeting.  Shannon will give an update on products and services available through ISU Extension; Paul will give an update on the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, other Departmental updates, and what we might expect from the State on farmers market guidance as we move into the spring.  Kurt will run through some of his most frequently asked compliance questions and field questions from attendees.
Presenters:

*Note: We recommend you catch this live on our Facebook event page to directly submit your questions to the presenters.  

​​25th Annual Iowa Farmers Market Association Workshop

Accepting EBT and Double Up Food Bucks at Your Farmers Market

Video Launches Thurs. 2/4/2021 at 10AM

Want to ensure your market is accessible to all customers in your community? Join us to explore your options around accepting EBT and Double Up Food Bucks at your farmers market. We will feature presentations from Iowa's Wireless EBT Project, Iowa's Double Up Food Bucks, and MarketLink, as well as addressing frequently asked questions. Presenters:

​     ​​​​The 2023 Iowa Farmers Market Association Workshop will be held at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames on Saturday, February 11th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.!  This year the Workshop will hold both general sessions and break-out sessions.  Attendees will hear presentations from the executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition; a market manager panel on successes, budgeting, and lessons learned; a panel on extended-season and year-round markets; an update on the newly enacted Iowa law impacting regulation of home food processing establishments and exemptions; a presentation from Travel Iowa staff; a state partners panel; vendor recruitment and more! 

     The board was able to secure a block of a few hotel rooms at the Gateway Center for a discounted price.  Call today and secure your room by mentioning attendance at the Iowa Farmers Market Association Workshop!

     Registration is now closed but walk-ins are welcome.  

Online Sales Platforms for Farmers Markets
Video Launches Thurs. 2/11/2021 at 10AM
Looking for online sales options for your farmers markets? Whether it's using an existing platform, or building one of your own, you have options! Join us to gain insight into how online sales boost the community impact of your market. You will hear from five different farmers market leaders from Iowa about the systems they are using, the key features of each, and the pros and cons for the market manager, the vendors, and the customers across the board. Presenters: