The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a regional workshop in Hays on Feb. 17, to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers. This is the fourth of four regional workshops which are being hosted by KDA this year.
Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2016, 75 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.
“Selling food directly to consumers through farmers’ markets provides growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, but there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing this marketing tool,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.
Workshop topics will include:
• Keynote speaker on Successful Farmers’ Market Vending
• Beekeeping 101
• Regulations on selling meat, eggs and poultry direct to consumer
• Double Up Food Bucks SNAP matching program
• Cover cropping and other soil health strategies
• Food safety inspection requirements
• Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Certified Farmer Training
KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale certification at the workshop for attendees.
The workshop will be held at KSU Agriculture Research Center, 1232 240th Ave. in Hays. Onsite registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m.
Registration for this workshop is now open and is $20 per participant, which includes lunch. Lunch cannot be guaranteed for those registering after Feb. 7.
Registration is available online at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMConference or at the Ellis County Extension Office. Return the completed form and payment to: KSU Ellis County Extension Office, c/o Linda Beech, 601 Main, Suite A, Hays, KS 67601.
KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. These workshops will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas businesses more successful.
For more information, contact Linda Beech, Ellis County Research and Extension, at (785) 628-9430 or lbeech@ksu.edu.