Mission: The mission of the cohort is to empower Michigan farmers market managers and food system leaders to foster greater understanding with the communities they serve by dismantling systems of oppression and implementing the tenets of the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit. In so doing, lay the groundwork for vibrant, equitable, and inclusive farmers markets across Michigan. The hope is that everyone that visits, sells or manages markets here in Michigan will have access to fresh locally sourced and culturally diverse food and farm products.
Goals:
- Build an environment and relationships that support experimentation, risk-taking, discomfort, and respect for one another
- Bring market managers with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences together to learn from one another and grow together
- Implement anti-racist frameworks at Michigan farmers markets as outlined in the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit
Logistical Details:
- Applications will be open February 15 – March 31, 2024
- Applicants will receive a response the week of April 8, 2024
- Who can participate: Michigan farmers market leaders (managers, assistant managers, volunteers, interns, directors, other staff)
- Farmers Market definition: a public and recurring assembly of farmers or their representatives selling direct-to-consumer food and products which they have produced themselves. Markets may include a variety of vendors as determined by market management. A farmers market is organized for the purpose of facilitating personal connections that create mutual benefits for local farmers, vendors, shoppers, and communities.
- Cohort timeline: 1 year – 12 monthly, 1.5 hour sessions, tentatively November 2024 – November 2025
- Incentives: participants will receive a minimum stipend amount of $500 for the full year (distributed half at the beginning of the program and the remainder halfway through) and 1.5 continuing education credits per meeting attended towards recertification through MIFMA’s Market Manager Certificate Program. MIFMA is applying for external funding to support this program, and if secured, the stipend amount could increase.
- If you have questions about this application, please contact MIFMA Assistant Director Julia Kramer at julia@mifma.org.
Resources for Context and Defining Terms:
Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit
Racial Equity Tools Fundamentals
White Supremacy Culture in Food Systems
- ”How does white supremacy culture play out in the food insecurity and food access space in the United States? To become anti-racist, food system actors must understand how white supremacy culture narratives function to center whiteness across the food system. This paper identifies eight messages from food insecurity policies and practice stemming from broader white supremacy culture and whiteness.”
Fill out the application below. There are two sections: first consists of shorter questions to get to know the applicant, and second consists of longer questions to learn about the market’s anti-racist work and goals. Applicants can save their progress and continue later by using the ‘save and continue later’ button at the bottom of the form.