MIFMA is proud to recognize four market managers as successfully re-certifying through the Market Manager Certificate Program in 2026! Please join us in honoring the following individuals:
Emily Lyons, Midland Area Farmers Market
Emily says, “Becoming a Certified Market Manger within my first year of taking on the role enabled me to focus on the Market as a whole and not just what I would like to see as an individual Market Goer. Midland Area Farmers Market has been around for 80 years, and the knowledge that I learned helped me keep it thriving through the pandemic and 2 historic floods.”
Lisa Potter, Muskegon Farmers Market
Lisa says, “Being part of the Muskegon Farmers Market and becoming a certified market manager has strengthened my ability to serve both vendors and the community with intention, professionalism, and care. It’s given me the tools to create a more inclusive, vibrant market experience where local businesses can truly thrive.”
Liz Buckley, City of Port Huron Farmers Market
Liz says, “The program really gets into the grit of what being a true farmers market manager is all about. As a teacher by trade, we always had to earn continuing education credits. Why should this ever-evolving trade be any different? There is so much to learn and to simply keep up with.”
Stefanie Torlai Stauffer, PhD, Ann Arbor Farmers Market
HOW IT WORKS: MIFMA has designed continuing education opportunities for individuals who have successfully completed the Market Manager Certificate Program (MMCP) and would like to further pursue leadership skills and professional development in topics essential to market management. In order to maintain a professional level of acknowledgment in their field, certified market managers are now able to earn professional development hours towards recertification. A certified market manager must earn 20 professional development hours within three years to be recertified.