michiganfarmers market...

MichiganFarmers Market ConferenceMarch 4-5, 2014

Michigan State University’s Plant and Soil Sciences Building East Lansing, MI

www.mifma.org

Support Michigan FarmersFind a Farmers Market

www.m i fma .org

The Michigan Farmers Market Conference is hosted by the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA). MIFMA is a statewide, member based association that serves farmers

markets and the farmers and vendors that sell at farmers markets. MIFMA’s mission is to advance farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products.

Become a member at www.mifma.org.

Join herbalist, forager, author and local food advocate Lisa Rose Starner as she shares her visions and hopes for the future of the good food movement.

Starner, author of the recent book, Grand Rapids Food: A Culinary Revolution (The History Press 2013) will offer up her experiences being a participant observer in the Grand Rapids’ local food movement. She will share stories of the rugged individuals in her community who are tilling the soil, growing food and launching successful food businesses while powering community change.

With this keynote, Starner hopes to catalyze meaningful academic, community and individual exploration and conversations about our food system, our environment, our economy and the relationships we have with each other. Her fresh perspective on the local food movement will inspire and rejuvenate those already working in the trenches as they change their own community — one garden, one backyard, one block, one store, one farmers market, one plate of food, cup of coffee and mug of beer at a time.

Lisa Rose Starner is an herbalist, forager, urban farmer and writer. With a background in anthropology and professional focus on community health and social movements, Starner has gathered her food, farming and wild plant knowledge from many people and places along a very delicious journey.

Keynote Session: Conversations with a LocavoreLisa Rose Starner, Burdock & Rose

MIFMA Annual Meeting on WednesdayOver the past year, MIFMA has made significant strides in pursuing its mission to advance farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products. The MIFMA Annual Meeting will showcase MIFMA’s efforts over the past year and provide a context for understanding the farmers market community in Michigan.

During the Annual Meeting, MIFMA members will also elect new members to the MIFMA Board of Directors. The MIFMA Board annually calls upon the membership to suggest those leaders in our community that would be ideal candidates for consideration with the next Board of Directors election. The Nominating Committee reviews nominations to determine the best candidates for inclusion on the ballot. The MIFMA Board is instrumental in providing leadership and direction for the association. A slate of candidates was provided to MIFMA members in advance and is available at www.mifma.org. Additional nominations can be made during the Annual Meeting.

MIFMA looks forward to having members and conference participants at its Annual Meeting which will be held Wednesday, March 5 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the Auditorium.

Connect with MIFMA! Use #mifmaevent when you tweet or post

Tuesday, March 4, 20148:00 - 9:00 a.m. Registration, Atrium

9:00 - 10:15 a.m. Keynote Session, Auditorium (Room 1200)

10:15 - 10:45 a.m. Morning Break, Visit Exhibitors & Silent Auction Opens, Atrium

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Roundtable Discussions, Conservatory

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch, Conservatory and Visit Exhibitors & Silent Auction, Atrium

1:00 - 2:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions II

2:15 - 2:45 p.m. Afternoon Break, Visit Exhibitors & Silent Auction, Atrium

2:45 - 4:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions III

4:00 - 4:30 p.m. Afternoon Break, Visit Exhibitors & Silent Auction, Atrium

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Accepting Food Assistance Benefits Training, Auditorium (Room 1200)This op-tional session is designed for farmers markets that will be accepting food assistance benefits during the 2014 market season. Participating markets will fulfill training requirements for markets beginning to accept WIC Project FRESH and Market FRESH for seniors. Markets will also receive information about accepting SNAP Bridge Cards and Double Up Food Bucks.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Networking Event, Lansing City Market Join MIFMA for networking at the indoor Lansing City Market. The Waterfront Grill will be offering drink specials for the occasion. This open-house-style event is open to all conference attendees and MIFMA members.

Wednesday, March 5, 20148:00 - 8:30 a.m. Registration, Atrium

8:30 - 9:15 a.m. MIFMA Annual Meeting, Auditorium (Room 1200)

9:30 - 10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions I

10:45 - 11:15 a.m. Morning Break, Visit Exhibitors & Silent Auction, Atrium

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions II

12:30 -1:30 p.m. Lunch, Conservatory, and Visit Exhibitors & Silent Auction, Atrium

12:30 -1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

Market Manager Peer Mentoring Meet & Greet, Conservatory

Silent Auction Closes, Atrium

1:30 - 2:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions III

2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Wrap-up and Closing Remarks, Auditorium Silent Auction Winners Announced, Atrium

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Breakout Session Descriptions

Track Session Description1:

00 –

2:1

5 p.

m.

Boot CampRoom A155Moderated by Cindy Paparelli

Starting a Farmers Market in Michigan Dru Montri, Michigan Farmers Market Association

The number of farmers markets in Michigan has grown exponentially since the late 1990s. If you are in the early phases of starting a farmers market, this session is for you. The presentation will include a review of important questions to consider about the feasibility of starting a new market in your community as well as the steps you can take to start and grow a new farmers market.

AdvancedRoom A149Moderated by Julia Darnton

Placemaking: How Farmers Markets can Help Create Community Spaces Marilyn Crowley, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC); Chuck Grinnell, Holt Farmers Market; Ashley Miller Helmholdt, Chelsea Farmers Market & Bushel Basket Market

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation describes placemaking as the process of creating a sense of place by considering cultural and natural amenities, resources and social and professional networks. Attend this session to learn how farmers markets can incorporate placemaking aspects into their market and hear from two markets in Michigan that are currently working on placemaking projects.

Farmer/VendorRoom A158Moderated by Christine Miller

Employee Hiring, Administration and Management Cynthia Richardson, MEDC

As your business grows and expands, so too must your workforce. Don’t let hiring and managing employees scare you. Attend this session to learn the basics of hiring, administering and managing employees.

2:45

– 4

:00

p.m

.


The Moving Parts of Market Management: Keeping it all Together Keith Lewandowski, The Project Group, Inc.; Donna McClurkan, MIFMA

Vendors, special events and promotion, oh my! Sometimes managing a farmers market can feel like a circus! This session will provide new market managers with tips and tools for staying organized and keeping up with all of the many tasks of managing a farmers market.


Regional Collaborations and Promotion Workshop Style Tina Lloyd, Canton Farmers Market; Sher Watkins, Northville Farmers Market

As the number of farmers markets throughout Michigan continues to grow, expansion offers ample opportunities for nearby markets to collaborate, especially on promotion. Attend this workshop to learn how market managers can work together and to develop your own plan for starting or continuing to work with other market managers in your area.


Becoming a Policy Advocate for Yourself and Others Kate Nault, Michigan Department of Community Health; Tina Reynolds, Michigan Environmental Council

State and federal legislatures often consider policies that effect farmers markets and the farmers and vendors that sell at farmers markets. Attend this session to learn what you can do to get your voice heard on these issues and how you can share your story with legislators.

1. A market manager is essential to the success of a farmers market. When hiring or identifying a market manager, what qualifications should you look for and what interview questions should you ask?

2. Winter farmers markets are becoming more and more popular in Michigan. What are the opportunities and unique challenges of extended season markets?

3. Last year, we asked what type of data would you like to see gathered and compiled on Michigan farmers markets. MIFMA piloted a site visit template to standardize data collection by MIFMA staff, volunteers and partners (a copy of the template will be provided). What do you like about this template? What is missing from this template? Would you be interested in helping MIFMA gather information using this tool?

Roundtable Discussion Questions:

Accepting Food Assistance Benefits Training This optional session from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium (Room 1200) on Tuesday, March 4 is designed for farmers markets that will be accepting food assistance benefits during the 2014 market season. Participating markets will fulfill training requirements for markets beginning to accept WIC Project FRESH and Market FRESH for seniors. Markets will also receive information about accepting SNAP Bridge Cards and Double Up Food Bucks.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Breakout Session Descriptions

Track Session Description9:

30 -

10:

45 a

.m.


New in 2014: Wine Sales at Michigan Farmers Markets Connie Currie, Blue Water Winery and Vineyards; Linda Jones, Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council; Sharon Martin, Michigan Liquor Control Commission

Passed in July 2013, Public Act 100 allows wine sales and sampling at Michigan farmers markets. Attend this session to learn more about this new opportunity and to explore whether or not it is a good fit for your farmers market.


Photography: Basic Techniques for Capturing Compelling Farmers Market Photos Wayne Pope, Wayne Pope Photography

If a picture is worth a thousand words, using photos of your farmers market in your market promotions is priceless. Attend this session to learn photography basics that can help you capture the beauty and bounty of your market and use it to attract new customers and vendors.


Water Management on the Farm to Ensure a Healthy Environment and Safe Food* Jennifer Silveri, Eaton Conservation District

Farming requires water. Farming to promote the health of the environment and to ensure the safety of the food produced requires proper water management. Attend this session to explore water management concerns on the farm and to learn how the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) can help farmers navigate these issues.

11:1

5 a.

m. -

12:

30 p

.m.


MDARD Food Safety Regulations and Licensing Tom Tederington, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

What food safety licenses/inspections should vendors have and how do they get them? Hear directly from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development about the regulations in place to ensure food safety and what vendors need to do to comply with these regulations.


Mobile Payment Processing Technology: Results from the Kent County Pilot Project Rachel Bair, Fair Food Network; Pam Gove, State of Michigan WIC Division; Melissa Harrington & Joe Lesausky, Fulton Street Farmers Market

How much cash do you have in your pocket right now? In today’s retail environment, fewer and fewer transactions take place via cash and electronic transactions are far more common. The same is true for individuals who receive food assistance benefits. Attend this session to learn about efforts in Kent County to explore how electronic food assistance benefits can be accepted at farmers markets.


It’s Who You Know: Using Farmers Market Connections to Scale Up to New Markets* Adam Montri, Michigan State University & Ten Hens Farm; Chef James Sumpter, Tannin Restaurant

Selling at a farmers market gives a farmer an incredible avenue for creating relationships with buyers that can allow you to scale up your business. Attend this session to learn how you develop relationships with chefs and other buyers who can help you scale up to new markets.

1:30

- 2:

45 p

.m.


What Factors Do You Consider When Choosing Farmers Markets to Sell At? Vendor Panel Megan DeLeeuw, Handsown Farms; Sharon Ostrowski, SharKar Farm; S. Plummer, Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, LLC

Just as farmers markets search for new vendors, vendors too search for farmers markets to sell at. Hear from vendors themselves what they look for when they consider whether or not to sell at a farmers market. Use the information they share to learn what you can do to make your farmers market more attractive to perspective vendors.


Alternative Models for Increasing Food Access: Mobile Food Trucks and Food Share Programs Ariana Riegel, Gleaners Community Food Bank; Brandon Seng, Manistee Community Kitchen; Sara Vander Zanden, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

Farmers markets are a great place for everyone to purchase fresh, healthy foods and to connect with local farmers and the community. For this reason they are a great opportunity for increasing food access. Attend this session to learn what some organizations are doing to expand food access beyond the farmers market with food truck and food share programs.


Communicating with Market Shoppers about Certifications and Other Hot Topics John Hooper, Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance

Shoppers at farmers markets are interested in knowing how their food is produced. This interactive session explores, in-depth, the variety of certifications available ( i.e., Certified Organic, MAEAP verified, etc.); various growing practices and related signage; generic catch-phrases ( i.e., locally grown), and other language in today’s farming culture to help you inform even the most knowledgeable of customers.

* Attend both the “Water Management on the Farm to Ensure a Healthy Environment and Safe Food” and the “It’s Who You Know: Using Your Farmers Market Connections to Scale Up to New Markets” sessions to earn Phase 1 MAEAP credit. The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) helps minimize and prevent agricultural pollution risks. www.maeap.org.

UP

DN

DN

DN

DN

DN

DN

UP

UP

DN

DN

A158

A155 A149

Audi

toriu

m

Atrium

Conservatory

Map of the Plant and Soil Sciences Building

Need help? Look for the green directional signs around the building or stop by the registration

table in the Atrium to ask directions.

The Plant and Soil Sciences Building is located near the corner of Wilson Road and Bogue Street. The main entrance is on Wilson Road.

Parking is available in the Wharton Center ramp, also on Wilson Road just to the east. It is a short walk away, and parking is free.

Wilson Rd

Bogu

e St

Exhibitors• Advanced Insurance Markets, Tuesday Only• Fair Food Network• The Learning Connection• Michigan Department of Community Health WIC Project FRESH• Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA)• Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF)• Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS)• Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA)• MSU Organic Farmer Training Program• Rockford Package Supply• Shawnee Canning Company, Inc.

Silent AuctionMIFMA welcomes your participation in our annual Silent Auction. Silent auction items have been donated by MIFMA members and supporters. Proceeds from the auction will support professional development events hosted by MIFMA in the year to come including the 2015 Michigan Farmers Market Conference.

Bidding on silent auction items will be open from Tuesday, March 4 at 10:15 a.m. to Wednesday, March 5 at 1:30 p.m. Please write your first and last name, bid amount and phone number legible for each bid. If you are the winning bidder, you can submit payment via check, cash and/or credit card. You can pick up your item at the end of the conference on Wednesday. Alternative arrangements can be made to pick up items won at a later date as long as the item does not include perishable food items.

Meal ProvidersLunch will be provided by MIFMA member Fork in the Road of Lansing, Michigan whose business model focuses on utilizing locally sourced, farm fresh ingredients, prepared simply, with passion and integrity.

Refreshment providers include MIFMA members: The Country Mill, The Granola Tree, The Great Harvest Bread Company, Intu Specialty Teas, J.W. Kettle Corn, the People’s Food Co-op of Kalamazoo and Samia’s Mediterranean Gourmet.

Peanut butter has been donated by MIFMA member, The Granola Tree, and jams and jellies have been donated by Shawnee Canning Company, Inc.

480 Wilson Road Room 172 Natural Resources Building East Lansing, MI 48824

Ph: 517-432-3381 Fx: 517-353-7961

www.mifma.org

Thank You, Sponsors

Peck Sponsors

Farmer/Vendor Educational Track Sponsor

Meal Sponsors

Pint Sponsors

Bushel Sponsor

michiganfarmers market...

Documents