K-State Research and Extension

  1. K-State home
  2. »Research and Extension
  3. »News
  4. »News Stories
  5. »2016
  6. »Regional farmers’ market vendor workshops planned

K-State Research and Extension News

Regional farmers’ market vendor workshops planned

strawberriesReleased: Jan. 6, 2016

MANHATTAN, Kan. ­­– The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host four regional workshops in 2016 to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2015, 56 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets. 

“While selling food directly to consumers through farmers’ markets provides growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing this marketing tool,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.

Workshop topics will vary slightly by location. Highlighted topics include:

  • Planning your production planting for market season;

  • Food safety requirements and updates;

  • Vendor panels on marketing and other best practice;

  • Value-added food product safety; and

  • Accepting non-cash payments (EBT, SFMNP)

KDA’s Division of Weights and Measures will offer free scale certification at the workshops for attendees.

Dates and locations are:

  • Jan. 29 – KSU Agriculture Research Center, 1232 240th Ave., Hays, Kan.

  • Feb. 6 – KSU Sedgwick County Extension Office, 7001 W 21st Street N., Wichita, Kan.

  • Feb. 20 – KSU Research and Extension Southeast Center, 25092 Ness Rd., Parsons, Kan.

  • March 11 – KSU Olathe, 22201 W. Innovation Dr., Olathe, Kan.

Early bird registration is $20 and closes 10 days prior to the event. Participants can also register after the early bird registration or on site for $25. Registration includes lunch. Registration forms can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMConference or at the local extension offices.

Onsite registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshops will begin at 9 a.m., except the Wichita workshop, which starts at 8:45 a.m. Each event ends by 4 p.m.

For more information, contact Julie Roller, KDA agriculture marketing specialist, at (785) 564-6755 or Julie.Roller@kda.ks.gov.

-30-

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans.  Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.

K-State Research and Extension
http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/

For more information:
Julie Roller -785-564-6755 or Julie.Roller@kda.ks.gov