Chanute hosting Regional Farmers’ Market Vendor Workshop Feb. 10

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a regional workshop in Chanute on Feb. 10. This is one of five regional workshops being held this year to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2017, 85 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.

“Farmers’ markets provide growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, with face-to-face interaction with consumers, but there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing to sell at a farmers’ market,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.

Workshop topics will include:

Marketing and Pricing Tips;

Growing in High Tunnels 101;

Regulations on Selling Meat, Eggs and Poultry Direct to Consumer;

Double Up Food Bucks and Sales Tax for Vendors;

Vendor Marketing and Communications;

Morel Mushroom Identification Certification; and

Kansas Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Certified Farmer Training.

KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale testing and certification at the workshop for attendees.

The workshop will be held at Mid-West Fertilizer in the Chanute Agronomy Center, 3030 W. Santa Fe Ave. Onsite registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude by 3 p.m.

Registration for this workshop is now open and is $20 per participant. Registration includes lunch; however, lunch will only be guaranteed to those participants who register by Feb. 1.

Registration forms can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMWorkshop or at local extension offices.

For more information, please contact Lexi Wright at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, at 785-564-6755 or [email protected].

KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. These workshops will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas businesses more successful.