Iowa Farmers Market Association to Hold 21st Annual Winter Workshop
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 31, 2019) – The 21st Annual Iowa Farmers Market Workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2 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 marketing strategies using social media, market cooking demonstrations, insurance options for markets and vendors, an in-depth look at the National Farmers Market Coalition, a market manager panel, and an “ask the expert” panel with staff from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Food & Consumer Safety Bureau, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau, Weights & Measures Bureau and State Horticulturist.
Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julie Kenney will provide the welcome at the opening of the workshop.
“Secretary Mike Naig appreciates the work managers and producers do in organizing these local markets,” said Kenney. “With over 150 farmers markets throughout the state, Iowans are able to access locally grown fresh produce, baked goods and other items.”
The Iowa Farm Bureau will be offering free consumer market bags and Iowa Farmers Market Nutrition Program training by IDALS staff will also be offered at the end of the workshop.
“Each workshop is unique and we cover so much during the day. These workshops are a great way for our statewide group to reconnect with one another. It looks like a great agenda this year,” 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.