BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Virginia Farmers Market Association - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
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:20190101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250428T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250430T120000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20241030T144106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250305T221620Z
UID:10761-1745830800-1746014400@vafma.org
SUMMARY:2025 Virginia Farmers Market Food Safety Summit (online)
DESCRIPTION:An online summit for farmers market managers & farmers market food vendors/producers covering food safety requirements in Virginia. \nDuring this annual Food Safety Summit\, VAFMA brings together representatives from state agencies to walk you through the requirements and answer your questions. These sessions are recorded and shared with registrants. \nApril 28-30th\, 2025\, from 9am – 12pm each day via Zoom.
URL:https://vafma.org/event/2025-virginia-farmers-market-food-safety-summit-online/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240522T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240522T123000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20240422T163409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240422T163409Z
UID:9979-1716375600-1716381000@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Working with the Homeless & Conflict Resolution
DESCRIPTION:Pre-recorded webinar sharing best practices for de-escalation and navigating relationships with homeless community members
URL:https://vafma.org/event/working-with-the-homeless-conflict-resolution/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240423T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240423T140000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20240422T163236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240422T163236Z
UID:9977-1713873600-1713880800@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Getting Started with the Anti-Racism Toolkit
DESCRIPTION:Interactive webinar about the Anti-Racism toolkit\, a resource designed to aid in the development of racial consciousness leading to anti- racist action.
URL:https://vafma.org/event/getting-started-with-the-anti-racism-toolkit/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240404T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240411T120000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20240220T192758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240220T192758Z
UID:9841-1712221200-1712836800@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Virginia Farmers Market Food Safety Summit
DESCRIPTION:April 4\, 9 & 11\, 9am-12pm EST\nAn online summit for market managers & food vendors covering the ins and outs of food safety requirements in Virginia \nMore info: https://vafma.org/food-safety-summit/
URL:https://vafma.org/event/virginia-farmers-market-food-safety-summit-2/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231206T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231206T130000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20231114T143056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231114T143156Z
UID:9651-1701864000-1701867600@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Steal This Idea - Farmers Market Promotion
DESCRIPTION:Webinar\, December 6\, 2023 12pm-1pm EST\nMarkia Baker and Navi Johnson are back! These savvy social media marketers from NM Legaci Marketing & the RVA Black Farmers Market have loads of social media and newsletter examples to share with you. Join us\, get inspired and “steal” some ideas. \nRegistration. You will receive email reminders.
URL:https://vafma.org/event/steal-this-idea-farmers-market-promotion/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231011T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231011T110000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20230915T131617Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230915T131617Z
UID:9529-1697018400-1697022000@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Creating Great Social Media Content for Your Market
DESCRIPTION:Creating Great Social Media Content for Your Market\nDo you need more ideas for what to post on social media? Do you wish you could reach more market shoppers online? \nMarkia Baker and Navi Johnson of NM Legaci Marketing can help! In our next webinar\, they will discuss what makes for great content. They’ll share examples and give practical advice that you can use right away. \nThey will also walk you through how to create an Instagram reel and offer ideas for making them more engaging. \nJoin us October 11\, 2023 from 10am – 11am via Zoom. \nFree registration
URL:https://vafma.org/event/webinar-creating-great-social-media-content-for-your-market/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230511T170000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230511T180000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20230417T140502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230417T140502Z
UID:9371-1683824400-1683828000@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: More Money From Your Markets
DESCRIPTION:More Money From Your Markets \nMay 11\, 2023\, 5pm-6pm Via Zoom \nYou work hard to prepare for your markets\, so let’s make sure you have the best sales possible. In this webinar\, you will learn how to increase traffic to your booth\, convert market guests into paying customers and keep them coming back week after week. \nYou will also learn how to track sales and expenses\, use newsletters to communicate with customers and spotlight the best product in your business … YOU! \nAbout Our Speaker: \nKelly Shepherd is the co-owner of What The Farm\, a regenerative farm that specializes in chicken\, pork\, lamb and beef in Virginia Beach\, VA. With a background in business coaching\, her primary focus is helping farmers and market vendors achieve profitability through agritourism\, education and subscription based sales. Kelly believes that the only way to grow the sustainable farmers market movement is to make it a win/win for both vendors and consumers. \nA recording will be available for registrants. \nRegistration
URL:https://vafma.org/event/webinar-more-money-from-your-markets/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20221012T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20221012T170000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20220913T205449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220913T205449Z
UID:8469-1665586800-1665594000@vafma.org
SUMMARY:The Risk and Liability of Running a Farmers Market
DESCRIPTION:The Risk and Liability of Running a Farmers Market\nOctober 12\, 2022 at 3pm\, Via Zoom\nIs your farmers market prepared for an emergency or accident? Does your insurance policy cover what it needs to cover? Do you know how to document an incident? In this webinar\, Katie Atkinson of New Oak Insurance will help you answer these questions. She will discuss the potential big issues to look out for and how to conduct an annual checkup. She will also share the questions to ask your insurance agent to make sure your market or vendor business is fully covered. \nThe answers to these questions may be different whether your market: \n\nis on public property versus private property\nuses volunteer or paid staff\nis a non-profit\, government or private organization\n\nJoin us October 12\, 2022 at 3pm via Zoom to ensure that you are taking the necessary precautions. \nFree Registration Required
URL:https://vafma.org/event/the-risk-and-liability-of-running-a-farmers-market/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220622T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220622T170000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
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:20220526T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220526T160000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20220509T223408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220509T223408Z
UID:8295-1653577200-1653580800@vafma.org
SUMMARY:4 Photos Every Farm Needs Webinar
DESCRIPTION:Connecting with shoppers at a busy farmers market can be a challenge. Using photographs can help tremendously. In this webinar\, the Virginia Farmers Market Association partners with Digital Storyteller and Farm Photographer Daniel James (DJ) of Herd Ventures to share the four shots every farmer needs to include on their website and at market. \nDJ will cover why each photo is important and how it connects with customers\, sharing examples throughout. He will also walk you through how to integrate the photos into your market set up so they are visible but don’t blow away on a windy day. You will leave the webinar with a pared down plan for adding photographs to your market display. \nMay 26\, 2022\, 3pm – 4pm\, via Zoom \nAbout the Speaker: With a family history of farming and a personal background in small business development\, nonprofits\, and agriculture\, DJ founded HERD Ventures to cultivate community through story. Over the past decade\, he has traveled the world working with farms to understand the evolution of agriculture and the role these stories play in feeding the imagination. Based on a sprawling farm in Esmont\, Virginia he now focuses exclusively on the Commonwealth and its regional food system to help bridge the gap between content and consumption. \nA recording will be available for registrants.
URL:https://vafma.org/event/4-photos-every-farm-needs-webinar/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220413T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220413T200000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
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:20210311T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20210219T194842Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210301T145227Z
UID:7284-1615467600-1615474800@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Farmers Market Preparedness - Part IV Topic: How to Tell Your Story
DESCRIPTION:Virginia Cooperative Extension Small Farm Outreach Program at Virginia State University in conjunction with the Virginia Farmers Market Association will share how to craft and tell your farm story. You will learn about marketing/branding/social media. In addition\, you will hear about different ways to market your business and what works and more importantly what hasn’t worked in this new market reality. \nFor more information\, contact Michael Carter\, Jr. at (804) 691-0490 or micarter@vsu.edu. \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-part-ov-topic-how-to-tell-your-story/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210225T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210225T150000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20210219T194716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210219T194716Z
UID:7282-1614258000-1614265200@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Farmers Market Preparedness - Part III Topic: Food Safety
DESCRIPTION:In this Farmers Market Readiness workshop\, we will provide an overview of food safety for farmers at the farmers’ market. It will cover when a food inspection is required\, how to obtain an inspection\, and the exemptions from inspection that are in the Virginia Food Laws. Additionally\, it will also touch on the applicable laws and regulations\, food labeling and packaging. The webinar will also discuss how to become VA Grown and VA finest designated. We will also hear from VDACS\, VDH\, Virginia Cooperative Extension\, VA GROWN and VA FINEST. \nFor more information\, contact Michael Carter\, Jr. at (804) 691-0490 or micarter@vsu.edu. \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-part-iii-topic-food-safety/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200423T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200423T140000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20200417T151518Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200417T151607Z
UID:6354-1587643200-1587650400@vafma.org
SUMMARY:COVID-19 Online Trainings
DESCRIPTION:VAFMA is hosting two online training classes that will detail how 9 different markets are navigating this obstacle course. \nIn the trainings\, you’ll hear from market managers at rural\, urban and suburban markets; government run\, private and non-profit markets.  They will share their successes and lessons learned along with their communication strategies\, signage\, market rules\, physical structure\, social distancing practices\, use of volunteers\, payment methods and more. \nVAFMA staff will summarize the recommendations and resources shared. \nRegistration for the trainings is limited. Recordings will be available. \nCost is $15 per person\, per training\nRegistration
URL:https://vafma.org/event/covid-19-online-trainings/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200416T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200416T133000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20200413T195832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200413T195832Z
UID:6191-1587038400-1587043800@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Getting Your Market Open During COVID-19
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, April 16th\, 12:00pm – 1:30 pm \nThis VAFMA webinar will provide an update of the latest state operation requirements for Virginia’s farmers markets. We’ll answer your questions and provide examples to help you adjust the setup of your market. \nMeredith Ledlie Johnson of Virginia Cooperative Extension will be with us to discuss using SNAP at markets during COVID-19. She’ll share how market managers are adjusting SNAP benefit sales to meet the current market guidelines. \nKim Hutchinson\, Executive Director of VAFMA will explain how to work with your local officials to get your market open. Howard Herman of Falls Church Farmers Market will share his experience navigating the challenges he faced getting his market open. \nRiko Metzroth of Farmers Insurance Financial Services will be with us to discuss general liability during COVID-19. He’ll also talk about two Small Business Administration Loans of interest to markets and their vendors.
URL:https://vafma.org/event/webinar-getting-your-market-open-during-covid-19/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200326T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200326T120000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20200227T181423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200227T181423Z
UID:5769-1585220400-1585224000@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Produce Safety Rule
DESCRIPTION:The Produce Safety Rule\, Exemptions and Market Requirements \nMarch 26\, 2020\, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Free Online Training \nFree Registration Link
URL:https://vafma.org/event/webinar-produce-safety-rule/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200316T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200316T123000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20200227T174440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200227T174440Z
UID:5763-1584356400-1584361800@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Food Safety and Handling at Farmers Markets
DESCRIPTION:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Food Safety Program Overview and Food Handler Best Practices at the Farmers Market\nMarch 16\, 2020\, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM – Free Online Training \nThis presentation will provide an overview of producing food products to sell at the farmers market. It will cover when a food inspection is required\, how to obtain an inspection\, and the exemptions from inspection that are in the Virginia Food Laws. Additionally\, it will also touch on the applicable laws and regulations\, industrial hemp\, and food labeling. \nThe presentation will also cover how to prevent selling contaminated foods at the market by 1) Fostering good health and hygiene practices\, 2) Cleaning and prevention of cross contamination\, 3) Holding hot/cold foods at proper temperatures\, 4) Ensuring foods are cooked to the correct temperature\, and 5) Ensuring foods sold originate from safe sources. Additionally\, it covers some of Virginia Cooperative Extensions’s resources available for markets. \nFree Registration
URL:https://vafma.org/event/webinar-food-safety-and-handling-at-farmers-markets/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200225T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200225T120000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
CREATED:20200217T200632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200217T200632Z
UID:5712-1582628400-1582632000@vafma.org
SUMMARY:Farmers Market Liability Webinar
DESCRIPTION:Riko Metzroth is a Richmond-based insurance agent and financial advisor who insures many different types of businesses through 9 states on the East Coast. On February 25 at 11:00 am (EST)\, Riko will review the risks faced by farmers market vendors and operators.\n\nHe will review examples of past claims\, and how to insure against such claims. He will also cover the importance of operators insisting upon valid and active insurance certificates from each vendor.\n\nFree Registration
URL:https://vafma.org/event/farmers-market-liability-webinar/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:Webinar
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20200115T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20200115T120000
DTSTAMP:20260613T154725
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
END:VCALENDAR