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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Farmers’ market managers and vendors can get useful information for the upcoming market season from four summits scheduled throughout the state in February and March.
The first day of each two-day summit will be dedicated to helping farmers’ market managers enhance their management skills with workshops on conducting effective meetings, managing conflict, conducting effective promotional campaigns, working with the media and other subjects. On the second day, presenters will work with producers on topics such as pricing strategy, market rules and customer service.
Work stations will be set up on both days for participants to work on labels for value-added products, selling honey, organic and sustainable production, retail meat sales and other topics.
The farmers’ market summits will be Feb. 17-18 at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Feb. 24-25 at General Butler State Resort Park, March 10-11 at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, and March 24-25 at Lake Barkley State Resort Park.
Presenters will include staff from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and the state Office of Governmental Training. The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy will have a work station at each summit to help participants apply for farmers’ market grants. Regional health inspectors will instruct participants on health department rules. Terry Spears, vice president for advancement at Pikeville College, will speak at the Jenny Wiley summit on working with the media. Clark County producer Sheila McCord will offer direct marketing hints for produce and aquaculture products in the Saturday session of the General Butler summit.
Pre-registration is required no later than one week before the summit that a participant wishes to attend. The registration fee is $15 per day, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch each day.
To register, or for more information, contact Janet Eaton, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s farmers’ market coordinator, by phone at (502) 564-4983 or by e-mail at janet.eaton@ky.gov.
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