EAST LANSING, MI – Farmers markets in Michigan merge economic and community development efforts with health and entertainment. Managing these multifaceted community events takes a wide variety of skills and talents and the individuals who know best are those that are currently managing farmers markets in Michigan.
As a statewide, member-based association, the Michigan Farmers Markets Association (MIFMA) knows that the most beneficial advice market managers receive comes from peers who have personal experiences to share. To help pair experienced market managers with those that are just beginning to manage farmers markets in Michigan and those implementing new programs at their markets, MIFMA has developed a Market Manager Mentorship Program.
Mentors will be working with new and beginning market managers as well as market managers who are in their first year of accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at their farmers markets. Mentors will work one-on-one with mentees to help them overcome obstacles and solve challenges, thus allowing farmers markets to more quickly and efficiently increase access to healthy food in underserved communities.
MIFMA is now taking applications for the 2015 Market Manager Mentorship Program. Individuals who are interested in being a part of the program are now able to apply to be a mentor or a mentee. Click Here
The program will kick off with a Meet and Greet program during the 2015 Michigan Farmers Market Conference in East Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, March 11.
The mentorship program is being supported by the Michigan Department of Community Health and a Farmers Market Promotion Program grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
For more information on other programs and MIFMA membership opportunities, visit www.mifma.org or call 517-432-3381.