Passport to Success:
Leveling Up!
Mid-Atlantic Farmers Market Conference
brought to you by Virginia State University Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Farmers Market Association
November 13-15, 2024
Quick Links:
Virginia State University and the Virginia Farmers Market Association are excited to bring you the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Farmers Market Conference!
This 3-day event held in Richmond, Virginia will bring together farmers, market managers, agriculture policymakers, and community partners to share their passion for farms, food access, small business, healthy communities, and farmers markets.
There will be targeted workshops, dynamic speakers, and fun-filled social networking.
This year’s theme focuses on providing attendees with real tools they can walk away with and immediately implement in their markets or businesses.
View a Preliminary Agenda
The conference will have three tracks — New Market Managers, Experienced Market Managers, and Vendors. Some of the sessions will include:
- Truth & Dare: Speak Up for Farmers Markets – Catt Fields White
- Creating market partnerships based on organizational values – Sagdrina Brown Jalal
- Managing liability with market policies – Wendy Chen
- Values Based Leadership and conflict resolution – Sagdrina Jalal
- The Possibility of Plastic Free Farmers Markets – A discussion on how, or if, we get there – Jennifer Cole (Executive Director), Clean Fairfax Elizabeth Moore (Farmers Market Outreach Coordinator), Fairfax County Park Authority Mary West (Owner) Mt. Olympus Berry Farm
- Navigating the Regulatory Requirements of Selling from Small Farm Production – Paul Boulden Jr of Studley Farms
- The Big Bite – Vendor Marketing Essentials – Barb Lamb
- From Stalls to Stability: The Truth Behind the Grind – Q and A session with experienced vendors lead by Amy Lu of Crunch On! Snacks
- Q and A session with experienced market managers lead by Karen Grisevich of GrowRVA
- Cultivating Cooperation — Using Vendor Visits as a Tool for Market Managers – Isaac Campbell, Manager, Salem Farmers Market
- From Field to Fan: Turn Your Passion into Powerful Marketing Tools – Kathryn Tuttle, Founder, KT Advisors
- Overview of Farmers Market Food Access Programs (SNAP, VFM, SFMNP/WIC, Market Link, DSS, FNS)
- Farmers & Markets Actually Improve Low-Income Food Security: Research & Roundtable Discussion – Elizabeth Borst, Virginia Fresh Match
- Encouraging the healthy choice: How SNAP-Ed supports Farmers and Farmers Markets in the Mid Atlantic Region – JoAnn Jolly, Washington DC Health Department, Meredith Ledlie Johnson, VA FNP, Dr. Amanda Gomes, USDA FNS, Kristin McCartney, WV SNAP-Ed, Erin Duru, Maryland SNAP-Ed
- Bridging the Language Gap: Ensuring Equitable Access to SNAP Matching Programs at Farmers Markets – Dr. Ahoo Salem, Blue Ridge Literacy
- Modernization of Farm Market Fresh and Farmers Market Nutrition Programs – Matthew Wasikiewicz (Farm Market Fresh Coordinator – Virginia), Sara Servin (FMNP Coordinator – Maryland)
- Standard Operating Procedures for Success – Sheila Rhodes, Owner, Small Batch Kitchen & PROVISIONal COO
- Small business accounting basics – Sarah Tatum, Enrolled Agent/Principal/Owner, Tatum Accounting
- Apply at the conference to accept SNAP at your market! (what to bring with you for the application. And Learn about SNAP)
Farmers market managers and vendors — both new and experienced — are invited to hone their skills, network, and walk away with usable tools and resources.
The conference also includes an optional pre-conference day (November 13th) where participants can choose to get certified in CPR and/or ServSafe.
This conference will be a dynamic, interactive event that will give attendees the passport they need to level up.
Cost
Regular Price (after August 31st):
- VAFMA Member – $285
- Non-member – $345
There is a 15% discount for 5 or more registrants – select the “5 or More Group Discount” registration option to receive the discount.
Registration cost includes attendance and food only. Parking, lodging, CPR and ServSafe certification not included. There will be a separate sign-up for pre-conference day events (Servsafe Certification, First-Aid CPR, and boxed lunch options available at additional cost. Limited space). To learn more about becoming a VAFMA member, go to www.vafma.org/member-benefits/
Location:
Doubletree by Hilton
Richmond-Midlothian
1021 Koger Center Drive
Richmond, VA 23235
Lodging
You may use this link to book your stay at the conference venue, the Doubletree by Hilton.
If you decide to make your reservations directly through Hilton.com or through the Hilton Honors app, please use the three letter group code: 92E
Become a Sponsor
To become a sponsor or exhibitor, please complete the Sponsorship form.
Sponsors
Exhibitors
Funding for this publication was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 21FMPPVA1084. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.