Iowa Farmers Market Association to Hold 20th Annual Winter Workshop February 3

DES MOINES – The 20th Annual Iowa Farmers Market Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 3rd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church at 3010 52nd Street in Des Moines.

Topics to be covered will include the new FDA Produce Safety Rule, wine sampling and sales at markets, insurance needs of vendors and markets, a panel of market managers sharing successes and challenges, updates on the state’s Double Up Food Bucks Program as well as from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Bill Northey will provide the welcome at the opening of the workshop. 

“It’s always an honor to help welcome the market managers, lead personnel and vendors to the workshop.  In many cases these market leaders are the face of Iowa agriculture to market goers. The Department really appreciates the work they do in organizing the state’s farmers markets and supplying locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, and other items to Iowans,” Northey said.

Again this year, the Iowa Farm Bureau will be offering free consumer market bags on a market basis. Attendees will also have the opportunity to receive training to be certified in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

“The Iowa Farmers Market Association is so pleased to have put on these workshops now for 20 years. These events are a great way for our statewide group to reconnect with one another.  Each workshop is unique and we cover so much during the day. We have an exciting agenda lined up for this year’s workshop,” said Iowa Farmers Market Association President Donna Brahms.

More information including the full agenda and registration form can be found on the IFMA website: http://www.iafarmersmarkets.org/ . Questions can also be directed to IDALS State Horticulturist, Paul Ovrom, at paul.ovrom@iowaagriculture.gov or 515-242-6239.