Anyone interested in farmers markets — growers, vendors and others — is invited to attend the 2018 Iowa Farmers Market Workshop Feb. 3. The all-day program features timely information and knowledgeable speakers to help you prepare for the upcoming season.

Topics to be covered 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 an update from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The Double Up program helps low-income families purchase more fruits and vegetables.

Market managers, staff urged to attend
Farmers market managers and staff from across Iowa should attend. The 20th annual workshop is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church at 3010 52nd St. in Des Moines.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will welcome attendees at the opening of the workshop. “It’s always an honor to visit with the market managers, lead personnel and vendors to this workshop,” he says. “In many cases these market leaders are the face of Iowa agriculture to market-goers. Our department 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.”

Opportunity to become certified
Again this year, the Iowa Farm Bureau will be offering free consumer market bags on a market basis. Farm Bureau will again donate 1 million farmers market bags for workshop attendees to give to their patrons for the 12th consecutive year.

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,” says Donna Brahms, president of the association. “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.”

Iowa leads in farmers markets
Iowa ranks fourth in the number of farmers markets in the U.S. and second in the number of markets per capita. According to research by Iowa State University, farmers markets in Iowa also contribute an estimated $59.4 million in gross sales to the state economy, generating $17.8 million in payroll and nearly 600 jobs in the state.

Boone County Farm Bureau members Greg and Polly Rinehart, whose family sells a variety of produce and ready-to-eat sandwiches at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, appreciate the support they receive from Iowans who shop farmers markets and the bags Iowa Farm Bureau provides.

Agenda, registration form at website
“Our family, including grandkids, enjoy the time we spend meeting new people at farmers markets,” says Greg Rinehart. “As farmers, we love answering questions our customers have about how their food is grown, and we’ve created some great friendships with the people who see us every Saturday during the farmers market season.”

More information including the full agenda and registration form can be found on the IFMA website. Questions can be directed to IDALS state horticulturist, Paul Ovrom, at [email protected] or 515-242-6239.