MIFMA has kicked off 2017 with a handful of awesome opportunities to learn, grow, and make your farmers market the very best this year. Consider taking full advantage of your MIFMA member benefits, and start by participating in one or more of our professional development opportunities!
Events and programs with the open umbrella logo represent opportunities for market managers certified through MIFMA’s Market Manager Certificate Program to earn Professional Development Hours toward re-certification, as part of MIFMA’s Continuing Education Program.
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Events & Programs
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Market Manager Certificate Program (MMCP)
There is still time to register for MIFMA’s Market Manager Certificate Program! The extended deadline is 9:00 a.m.on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. This voluntary program takes place in February and March and is designed to encourage farmers market managers to pursue leadership skills and professional development in topics essential to market management. Download the brochure for a list of sessions, dates, and topics.
Register now for the full program!
Market Managers not interested in attending the full program can still tap into some of the great resources this program offers by registering for one or more of the webinars.
Register now for the individual webinars!
Michigan Farmers Market Conference
MIFMA is hosting its annual Michigan Farmers Market Conference – “Celebrating Farmers Market Milestones”, on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 7 and 8, 2017 at the Plant and Soil Sciences Building on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. This year’s event expects to bring together more than 200 individuals to celebrate MIFMA’s 10th anniversary and the many milestones that the Michigan farmers market community has reached over the last 10 years. The 2017 conference will engage attendees in 15 great sessions structured to meet the needs of farmers markets in Michigan and provide education and resources for market managers and the farmers and vendors who sell at markets.
Register now for the conference!
Conference Social
MIFMA will host a Conference Social on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., following the first day of the conference, in the Conservatory of the Plant and Soil Sciences Building. The social is a casual networking event that will feature live music, refreshments, and a selection of food items from local food companies. A great networking opportunity and a fun way to spend your evening while at the conference! Tickets for the social are $25 per person and can be purchased as part of your conference registration or separately by contacting the MIFMA office at 517-432-3381.
SNAP Training and On-Site Authorization for Farmers Markets
By accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, farmers markets can increase healthy food access to their communities while drawing more customers to the market and increasing vendor sales. Farmers markets interested in accepting SNAP benefits during the 2017 market season, distributed via the Michigan EBT Bridge Card, can meet one-on-one with USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) representatives who will be on-site at the Michigan Farmers Market Conference to answer questions and to review and approve market applications. Those not able to attend the full conference can make an individual appointment by calling the MIFMA office to register, 517-432-3381.
Marketing and Promotions for Your Business Workshops
These five workshops, hosted weekly from March 13 through April 10, are specifically designed for farmers and small business owners selling at farmers markets. The Bath Farmers Market, with support from MIFMA, will host these workshops presented by experts in the fields of branding, marketing, and social media. Attendees will be provided with practical tips and ideas on how to better market their businesses! Workshops are free, and registration is required. Individuals unable to attend in-person, have the option to view the workshop via online live web streaming.
Register now for one or more of the workshops!
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Webinars
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Webinar: Difficult Questions and Conversations
Do you get questions from shoppers or other farmers that are difficult or complicated to answer? Join the Michigan Agritourism Association, the Michigan Farmers Market Association, and our panel of experts for this webinar designed for specialty crop producers on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 1 – 2 p.m. EST. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
Register now for the webinar!
Webinars: Successful Hoophouse Growing & Marketing Strategies
If you’re a market manager, you might be interested in the Packaging and Display for Farmers Market Stands webinar – perhaps you can consider sharing these also with the farmers and vendors who sell at your market! The webinars are free, and all you have to do is register.
Register now for one or more of the webinars!
Advanced Cool Season Crop Production Webinar
January 24, 2017
8-9 p.m. EST
Packaging and Display for Farmers Market Stands
January 31, 2017
8-9 p.m. EST
Basic Hoophouse/High Tunnel Design and Structure Options
February 7, 2017, 8-9 p.m. EST
Webinar: Accepting SNAP Bridge Cards at Farmers Markets
Farmers markets can accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, creating a win-win-win opportunity for their market, vendors, and the health of their community. Accepting SNAP, which is distributed via the Michigan Bridge Card, can increase revenue for vendors, contribute to vendor recruitment and retention for the market and increase access to fresh, nutritious, local food for residents of your community. Attend this free webinar on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to learn how to get started with accepting SNAP and the major benefits!
Register now for one or more of the webinars!
MMCP Webinars
Not interested in attending the full Market Manager Certificate Program? You can register for individual webinars! To register and see the entire webinar topic list and schedule, click here. Registration is $20 per webinar for MIFMA and Farmers Market Coalition members. The registration deadline for webinars is the morning of the webinar at9:00 a.m. EST.
Register now for one or more of the webinars!
We hope to see you at one of the upcoming events, which offer great educational resources as well as networking opportunities for the whole Michigan farmers market community. Don’t forget to follow us onFacebook for more information about upcoming events and happenings!