The Michigan Farmers Markets Association (MIFMA) concluded its fifth annual Market Manager Certificate Program, certifying 42 market managers on February 28, 2015. The Market Manager Certificate Program is a voluntary program designed to encourage market managers to pursue leadership skills and professional development in topics essential to market management. As farmers markets grow and expand, totaling more than 300 markets in Michigan in 2014, so do the needs of the individuals who run these markets and create thriving marketplaces for local food and farm products.
“Every year I am inspired by the dedication and commitment market managers put in to the work that they do. The Market Manager Certificate Program is a way that we can provide support and help managers who are looking to grow and improve their markets,” said Dru Montri, MIFMA Director.
Certificates were awarded to 32 market managers from Michigan, and 10 from Wisconsin. These market managers join the 103 market managers that were certified between 2011 and 2014 for a total of 145 certified market managers in 2015. MIFMA’s Market Manager Certificate Program is the only program in the nation that recognizes market managers as professionally trained.
Each certified market manager had the opportunity to network with other market managers over the course of the program and focus on topics such as Market Governance, Conflict Management, Financial Record-keeping, Licensing and Regulations and Marketing. A final manager-to-manager education and networking opportunity completed the program focusing on sharing experiences and lessons learned.
One market manager reported. “The program provided an opportunity for networking with other market managers and allowed us to look broadly at how we can improve our markets. The training was invaluable and I am so grateful I participated.”
2015 Waterford, MI location participants
Waukesha, WI satelite location participants
Traverse City, MI satellite location participants
MIFMA is already planning for next year’s Market Manager Certificate Program, expected to run in January and February 2016.
To learn more, visit www.mifma.org or contact Samantha Collins at samantha@mifma.org or 517-432-3381.