The Michigan Farmers Markets Association (MIFMA) is hosting its annual Michigan Farmers Market Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 5 – 6 at the Plant and Soil Sciences Building on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. This year’s theme is “Roadmap to Resiliency”, and registration is open through February 20, 2019, at www.mifma.org/conference.
This annual conference focuses on bringing together the numerous individuals necessary to create and support a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products in Michigan including market managers, farmers, vendors, volunteers, non-profit and municipal employees, as well as an array of persons involved in local food systems work. Engaging educational sessions, roundtable discussions, as well as excellent networking and exhibitor opportunities will offer up-to-date information on timely topics related to farmers market cultivation and management.
This year’s conference will feature a keynote presentation by Joe Borgstrom. Borgstrom is an accomplished professional in the fields of downtown redevelopment, community, and economic development, main street and placemaking. His 20+ year career includes executive management at the local non-profit and state government levels, project financial structuring and evaluation, fund development, foreign direct investment recruitment, program management, public speaking and consulting. He and his teams have used state and local incentives to leverage more than $2.2 billion in private investment into communities. He has worked as a senior director in state government, earning recognition as a leader in Main Street, Community Development Block Grants, and Brownfield redevelopment and has been the President & CEO of a 5-star Accredited Chamber of Commerce, the highest accreditation rating given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Today, Joe is a Principle with the firm Place + Main Advisors where he works with communities and developers alike to create quality places.
MIFMA members receive a 50% discount on conference registration as part of their membership benefits and pay $150 for the full conference or $100 for one day only. Non-members will pay $300 for the full conference or $200 for one day only. Registration for the conference will close on February 20, 2019.
For more information on the Michigan Farmers Market Conference, visit www.mifma.org/conference or call 517-432-3381.