EAST LANSING, MICH –The Michigan Farmers Markets Association (MIFMA) recently certified 16 farmers market managers statewide. The certification came after managers completed MIFMA’s Farmers Market Manager Certificate Program, training them in topics essential to market management.
As farmers markets grow and expand throughout the state, totaling more than 300 markets in Michigan in 2012, so do the needs of the individuals who run these markets and make them a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products.
“MIFMA was thrilled to work with and certify these qualified farmers market managers who are committed to growing and improving their markets,” said Dru Montri, MIFMA Director.
Certificates were awarded to 16 farmers market managers from across the state who completed the full five-day program, offering acknowledgement to market organizers and vendors that the market manager is a trained professional. These market managers join the 65 market managers that were certified in 2011 and 2012 for a total of 81 certified Michigan farmers market managers. MIFMA’s Farmers Market Manager Certificate Program is the only program in the nation that recognizes market managers as professionally trained.
Each certified farmers market manager had the opportunity to network with other managers around the state over the course of the program and focus on Business Planning and Managing Market Growth; Market Governance, Policy and Enforcement; Internal and External Communication Strategies; and Finances and Fundraising. A final manager-to-manager education and networking opportunity completed the program focusing on sharing experiences and lessons learned.
MIFMA is already planning for next year’s Farmers Market Manager Certificate Program, expected to run in February, 2014.
To learn more, visit www.mifma.org or contact Amanda Shreve at amanda@mifma.org or 517-432-3381.