BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Virginia Farmers Market Association - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Virginia Farmers Market Association X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://vafma.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Virginia Farmers Market Association REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20180101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240126 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240427 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20231121T194912Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231121T194912Z UID:9672-1706227200-1714175999@vafma.org SUMMARY:Market Manager Certification Course DESCRIPTION:The Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) is pleased to offer a 14-week interactive\, engaging\, student-centered learning experience addressing real-world market issues. \nProgram participants who complete the full curriculum requirements will receive a signed certificate and will have earned the title of Certified Market Manager. \nOnline sessions Fridays 10:00 AM-12:00 noon January 26 – April 26\, 2024 \nMore Information URL:https://vafma.org/event/market-manager-certification-course-2/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230317T093000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230317T160000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20230203T151833Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230209T194627Z UID:8902-1679045400-1679068800@vafma.org SUMMARY:Virginia Farmers Market Food Safety Summit DESCRIPTION:During this Food Safety Summit\, VAFMA will bring together representatives from Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services\, Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Cooperative Extension to walk you through the requirements and answer your questions. \nJoin us to make sure you are up-to-date on the state’s regulations: \n\nVirginia Farmers Market Food Safety Summit URL:https://vafma.org/event/virginia-farmers-market-food-safety-summit/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230127T100000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230127T120000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20221213T203430Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221213T203802Z UID:8837-1674813600-1674820800@vafma.org SUMMARY:Market Manager Certification Course Begins - 14 weeks DESCRIPTION:The Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) is pleased to offer a 14-week interactive\, engaging\, student-centered learning experience addressing real-world market issues. \nMore Details Here URL:https://vafma.org/event/market-manager-certification-course-begins-14-weeks/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220622T150000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220622T170000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20220613T232031Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220613T232031Z UID:8359-1655910000-1655917200@vafma.org SUMMARY:Sales Strategy for Vendors Workshop DESCRIPTION:June 22\, 2022\, 3pm – 5pm\, via Zoom\nWant to increase your sales at the market? Learn tips and techniques of engagement with customers and tourists by developing a sales strategy for both in-person and online sales. Understand how to better communicate what makes you and your brand special. Take the guess work out of social\, email\, and sales by focusing on why you are in this business\, and putting a plan in place to reach your goals. \nJoin the Virginia Farmers Market Association and Barb Lamb of The Apple Cart Company for this 2 hour training. Free registration is required. You will receive an email with a link to join the Zoom meeting. \nhttps://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTUzMTI0 URL:https://vafma.org/event/sales-strategy-for-vendors-workshop/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training,Webinar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220427T180000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220427T193000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20220315T162316Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T162316Z UID:7968-1651082400-1651087800@vafma.org SUMMARY:Food Safety for Farmers Market Vendors DESCRIPTION:In this third installment of the Farmers Market Preparedness workshop\, we will provide an overview of food safety for vendors at farmers markets. It will cover when a food inspection is required\, how to obtain an inspection\, and the exemptions from inspection in the Virginia Food Laws. The workshop will touch on applicable laws and regulations\, food labeling\, and packaging. URL:https://vafma.org/event/food-safety-for-farmers-market-vendors/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220420T180000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220420T193000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20220315T162038Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T162038Z UID:7966-1650477600-1650483000@vafma.org SUMMARY:Market Day Prep for Farmers Market Success DESCRIPTION:Success at the farmers market starts well before you get to market. In the second webinar in the Farmers Market Preparedness series\, we will focus on getting prepared for market day. We will cover what you need to do\, bring\, and plan for to improve your sales at market. You’ll leave the webinar with a checklist to use throughout the season. URL:https://vafma.org/event/market-day-prep-for-farmers-market-success/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220413T180000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220413T200000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20220222T172316Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220222T172316Z UID:7951-1649872800-1649880000@vafma.org SUMMARY:Action! Using Short Video Clips to Connect with Customers DESCRIPTION:Part of the Farmers Market Preparedness Series from VAFMA and VSU \nVirtual Workshop (Action! Using Short Clips to Connect with Customers) \nAudience: Market Vendors 90-Minute Workshop \nThis workshop will focus on the ins and outs of short form video to attract new customers for individual vendors. Discussion points during the workshop will include:\n– Why short form video is important to attracting customers – What is effective and what to shoot\n– How long should the videos be? How often should they post?\n– Can videos created be used on multiple platforms (IG Reels\, TikTok)\n– What should I consider to help maintain privacy\n– How to overcome stage fright & tips to talking to a camera\n– How is the video content best shared to the social platforms (a demonstration will be provided) URL:https://vafma.org/event/action-using-short-video-clips-to-connect-with-customers/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training,Webinar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220121T100000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220421T120000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20211116T183352Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211116T183352Z UID:7849-1642759200-1650542400@vafma.org SUMMARY:Market Manager Certification Program DESCRIPTION: URL:https://vafma.org/event/market-manager-certification-program/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210302T180000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210302T210000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20210127T164035Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210216T014439Z UID:7165-1614708000-1614718800@vafma.org SUMMARY:Infectious Disease Training for Farmers Markets DESCRIPTION:Farmers markets and farms (considered medium risk employers) are now required by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry to train their employees (paid and unpaid) on the hazards and characteristics of the SARSCoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease\, safe and healthy work practices\, personal protective equipment and other infectious disease topics. \nInfectious disease plans are also required for Medium Risk Employers with 11 or more employees (paid and unpaid). \nTo assist farmers markets in complying with these mandates\, VAFMA is offering a training class that walks attendees through the steps of compliance. Harrisonburg City COVID-19 Response Coordinator\, Paul Helmuth\, will guide attendees through the requirements and how they apply to farmers markets. \nThrough this class\, participants will receive: \n— A certificate of completion \n— An infectious disease plan template along with training on how to customize it to fit your business \n— Education on and digital materials for training your employees \n— A link to a recording of the training \nAbout the Instructor \nPaul Helmuth is the Deputy Emergency Coordinator and has coordinated the COVID-19 response for the City of Harrisonburg. \nPaul has spent 30 years in emergency services as a paramedic\, firefighter and emergency manager. He has helped create plans for biological and terrorism responses for the last 19 years for both public and private responses including responses for anthrax\, influenza\, Ebola\, and now COVID-19. \nCost & Registration \n$150 for members \n$225 for non-members \nRegistration URL:https://vafma.org/event/infectious-disease-training-for-farmers-markets-3/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210128T130000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210128T150000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20210127T163648Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210127T163648Z UID:7163-1611838800-1611846000@vafma.org SUMMARY:Farmers Market Preparedness Workshops DESCRIPTION:Demand for healthy local food is increasing in the Commonwealth. Of course\, the difficulty of getting your products to customers has increased too. \nVAFMA has teamed up with the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program to share strategies and approaches to selling at farmers markets in Virginia. This is a 4 workshop series focused on basic market preparedness\, food safety\, online/offline marketing\, and online/virtual payment systems. \nFree Registration at this link\nYOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR ZOOM MEETING LINK IN THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A LINK\, PLEASE EMAIL smallfarm@vsu.edu \nIf you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices\, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity\, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event. URL:https://vafma.org/event/farmers-market-preparedness-workshops/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210122 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210424 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20200924T162548Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200924T162548Z UID:6719-1611273600-1619222399@vafma.org SUMMARY:Market Manager Certification Course DESCRIPTION:Market Manager Certification Course\nFridays\, Jan 22 – April 23\, 2021\n\nMore details to come! URL:https://vafma.org/event/market-manager-certification-course/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210105T180000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210105T220000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20201127T220204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20201127T220204Z UID:6806-1609869600-1609884000@vafma.org SUMMARY:Infectious Disease Training for Farmers Markets DESCRIPTION:All Virginia businesses – including farmers markets\, farms\, and market vendors — are now required to adhere to the new Statewide Emergency Workplace Safety Standards adopted by The Department of Labor and Industry’s Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program and the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board in July 2020. \n  \nThe standards require organizations to: \n1. Create a check-in protocol for symptoms and exposure before each shift \n2. Develop an infectious disease plan (deadline was 9/14/20) \n3. Create a coronavirus 101 training for employees with a completion certificate offered at the end of the training (deadline was 8/14/20) \n  \nTo assist farmers markets in complying with this mandate\, VAFMA is offering a training class that will walk market managers through the steps of compliance. Harrisonburg City COVID-19 Response Coordinator\, Paul Helmuth\, will guide attendees through the requirements and how they apply to farmers markets. \n  \nThrough this 4 hour class\, participants will receive: \n· A certificate of completion \n· An infectious disease plan template along with training on how to customize it to fit your business \n· Education on and digital materials for training your employees \n· A link to a recording of the training \n  \nAbout the Instructor \nPaul Helmuth is the Deputy Emergency Coordinator and has coordinated the COVID-19 response for the City of Harrisonburg. \nPaul has spent 30 years in emergency services as a paramedic\, firefighter and emergency manager. He has helped create plans for biological and terrorism responses for the last 19 years for both public and private responses including responses for anthrax\, influenza\, Ebola\, and now COVID-19. \n  \nCost & Registration \n$150 for members \n$225 for non-members \n  URL:https://vafma.org/event/infectious-disease-training-for-farmers-markets-2/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20201110T180000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20201110T220000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20201027T193638Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T044858Z UID:6773-1605031200-1605045600@vafma.org SUMMARY:Infectious Disease Training for Farmers Markets DESCRIPTION:All Virginia businesses – including farmers markets\, farms and market vendors — are now required to adhere to the new Statewide Emergency Workplace Safety Standards adopted by The Department of Labor and Industry’s Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program and the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board in July 2020. \nThe standards require farmers markets to: \n\nCreate a check-in protocol for symptoms and exposure before each shift \nDevelop an infectious disease plan (deadline was 9/14/20) * (businesses with 11 or more employees)\nCreate a coronavirus 101 training for employees with a completion certificate offered at the end of the training (deadline was 8/14/20) \n\nTo assist farmers markets in complying with this mandate\, VAFMA is offering a training class that will walk attendees through the steps of compliance. Harrisonburg City COVID-19 Response Coordinator\, Paul Helmuth\, will guide attendees through the requirements and how they apply to farmers markets. \nThrough this 4 hour class\, participants will receive: \n\nA certificate of completion\nAn infectious disease plan template along with training on how to customize it to fit your business\nEducation on and digital materials for training your employees\nA link to a recording of the training URL:https://vafma.org/event/infectious-disease-training-for-farmers-markets/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200314T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200314T150000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20200224T171654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200224T171756Z UID:5737-1584176400-1584198000@vafma.org SUMMARY:Blue Ridge Farmers Market Vendor Training DESCRIPTION:The Virginia Farmers Market Association\, LEAP for Local Food\, Salem Farmers Market and Lynchburg Community Market are offering a regional farmers market vendor training March 14th in Roanoke. \nThis will be a day of networking\, marketing training\, resource sharing\, and business planning. We’ll also hear some vendor success stories! \nPeer-led presentations on: \n\nBusiness Resources\nBusiness Planning\nMarketing for the Market\nSuccess Stories\n\nRegistration is $10 and includes lunch \nPlease Register Here URL:https://vafma.org/event/blue-ridge-farmers-market-vendor-training/ LOCATION:Colab\, 1327 Grandin Rd SW\, Roanoke\, VA\, 24015\, United States CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200311T110000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200311T140000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20200227T164227Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200227T164227Z UID:5755-1583924400-1583935200@vafma.org SUMMARY:VAFMA Coastal Region Meeting and Training DESCRIPTION:Spring 2020 Season Kickoff!\nThe Virginia Farmers Market Association invites all Farmers Market Managers and Vendors in the Coastal Region to Join us for our 2020 Season Kickoff meeting and training! \nThis gathering is open to both members and non-members\, free of charge. Bring a brown bag lunch if you wish. \nWHEN: Wednesday\, March 11\, 11 am to 2 pm \nWHERE: Chesapeake Central Library\, 298 Cedar Road\, Chesapeake\, VA 23322 \nREGISTRATION: FREE but please register \nHeather Wheeler from the VDACS Marketing Division will be presenting about the Virginia Grown and Virginia Finest Programs\, as well as best practices for farmers market vendors. \nWe also have Courtney Mickiewicz from the VDACS Food Safety Division to speak about policies and compliance that both market managers and vendors should be aware of. \nAdditionally\, we have some information about the Certified Naturally Grown program\, which is gaining traction with small producers. Certifications include produce\, mushrooms\, livestock\, apiary and aquaponics. \nOur Executive Director\, Dr. Kim Hutchinson\, will also be there to tell you more about VAFMA and its initiatives and benefits. We hope to see you there! URL:https://vafma.org/event/vafma-coastal-region-meeting-and-training/ LOCATION:Chesapeake Central Library\, 298 Cedar Road\, Chesapeake\, Virginia\, 23322 CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200124T100000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200424T150000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20200116T190958Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200116T190958Z UID:5674-1579860000-1587740400@vafma.org SUMMARY:Market Manager Certification Course DESCRIPTION:A 14-week interactive\, engaging\, student-centered learning experience addressing real-world market issues. This certification program will train market managers in best practices on the following topics: \n\nThe Role of Market Manager\nMarket Rules\, Policies\, and Governance\nMarket Operations: Accounting\, Sales & Expenses\, SNAP\nConflict Management\nSpecial Events: Planning\nMarketing and Social Media\nGrant Writing and Fundraising\nMarket Data & Reporting\nFood Safety at the Market\n\nLearn more here. URL:https://vafma.org/event/2020-market-manager-certification-course/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200115T110000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200115T120000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20191216T153523Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191216T153606Z UID:5626-1579086000-1579089600@vafma.org SUMMARY:Getting to Greener Webinar DESCRIPTION:Getting to Greener Webinar\nFarmers Markets are full of plastic bags\, plastic utensils\, clamshell packaging. At just one market in Fairfax County\, shoppers use a conservative average of 100\,000 single use plastic bags per season. There are over 25 Farmers Markets in the Northern Virginia Region every week. Several are year round and that is an unconscionable number of plastic bags considering the damage just one bag could do to a bale of cotton\, or if ingested by livestock. \nThis session will showcase products and programs that Markets and Farmers can use instead of single use plastics and open the discussion up to creative ways Markets can market their sustainability and get even more customers (including eco-tourists!) who care about not just where the food comes from\, but how they buy it. \nAbout the Presenters \nJennifer Cole\, Executive Director- Clean Fairfax \nJennifer Cole has been the Executive Director for Clean Fairfax since January 2009.\nShe served as the President of the Virginia Council on Litter Prevention and Recycling\, a member of the Beekeepers Association of Northern Virginia\, the Virginia Recycling Association\, and serves on the County’s Trash Team\, a task force made up of County agencies\, regional authorities and non-profits working on keeping area streams and special places clean and litter-free. She is the 2018 recipient of the Fairfax County Environment Excellence Award. Before moving to Northern Virginia\, Jen worked in Providence\, Rhode Island developing and managing urban agriculture and community gardens\, community forestry\, and advocacy via environmental law.\nShe holds a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis on Urban Environmental Policy from Norwich University and a Certification in Advanced Business Sustainability from the University of Vermont. \nZach Huntington\, Clean Streams Program Manager- Clean Fairfax \nZach Huntington is a Virginia native and lifelong outdoorsman with a passion for clean water. He received his Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science with a concentration in Natural Resources and Conservation\, and is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Environmental Compliance and Sustainability. URL:https://vafma.org/event/getting-to-greener-webinar/ CATEGORIES:Training,Webinar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20191218T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20191218T130000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20191216T153317Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191216T153317Z UID:5624-1576670400-1576674000@vafma.org SUMMARY:Marketing 101 Webinar DESCRIPTION:Marketing 101:\nClarify Your Identity to Connect With Customers\nIn this webinar\, participants will be guided through simple exercises to find clarity in their identity and branding and connect with their ideal customers. We’ll also cover common mistakes small businesses make in their identity and branding\, and tips and tricks for marketing on a budget (including new resources not discussed at the VAFMA conference!) URL:https://vafma.org/event/marketing-101-webinar/ CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20190916T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20190916T130000 DTSTAMP:20260414T114844 CREATED:20190821T184832Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190821T184914Z UID:4921-1568635200-1568638800@vafma.org SUMMARY:Vendor Webinar Series 9/16 - 10/14 DESCRIPTION:Join VAFMA and Virginia Cooperative Extension for a lunchtime webinar series. Mondays\, 9/16/19 – 10/14/19 at noon \n\nMarket Vendor Lunchtime Webinar Series URL:https://vafma.org/event/vendor-webinar-series/ LOCATION:ONLINE CATEGORIES:Training END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR