The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) is pleased to announce that 28 market managers recently completed the MIFMA Market Manager Certificate Program and were presented with certificates on Monday, February 28. A total of 373 individuals have been certified since the program’s inception in 2011.
The MIFMA Market Manager Certificate Program is the first program of its kind developed in the country that acknowledges that the market manager is a trained professional. The program is voluntary and designed to encourage market managers to pursue leadership skills and professional development in topics essential to market management.
Participants completed 35 hours of training focused on leadership skills and professional development in topics essential to market management. Key learning objectives covered in the program were:
- Supporting Diverse, Equitable, & Inclusive Farmers Markets
- Food Assistance Programs and Working with Volunteers
- Earning and Managing Financial Support for Your Market
- Data-Informed Decision Making and Documenting Market Operations
- Managing Risk at the Farmers Market
- Marketing
- Planning for Events and Entertainment
Each certified market manager had the opportunity to network with other market managers at various farmers markets over the course of the program. A final manager-to-manager education and networking opportunity completed the program.
Questions can be directed to MIFMA Professional Development Manager Jenny Radon at 517-432-3381 or jenny@mifma.org. To sign up to be notified when information about the 2023 program becomes available, fill out this form.