12/6/23
Steal This Idea: Farmers Market Promotion
Webinar, December 6, 2023 12pm-1pm EST
Markia 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.
About our Speakers:
Markia Baker and Navi Johnson founded NM Legaci Marketing in February 2022. With degrees in mass communications and english, their expertise lies in creating engaging content, managing social media accounts, and growing online presence.
With their passion for helping businesses thrive in the social media space, they are committed to providing excellent and personalized services to each client. Not only do they support businesses with providing services directly, they also participate in workshops and conferences, educating participants about the importance of social media marketing. Their mission is to provide consistent, organic social media marketing that empowers small businesses and startups to make an impact in the digital world.
Navi is also the proud owner of the RVA Black Farmer’s Market, founded in August 2020 and Markia has been volunteering at the RVA Black Farmer’s Market since its inception.
10/11/23
Creating Great Social Media Content for Your Market
Do you need more ideas for what to post on social media? Do you wish you could reach more market shoppers online?
Markia Baker and Navi Johnson of NM Legaci Marketing can help! In this webinar, they discuss what makes for great content.
They share examples and give practical advice that you can use right away. They also walk you through how to create an Instagram reel and offer ideas for making them more engaging.
About our Speakers:
Markia Baker and Navi Johnson founded NM Legaci Marketing in February 2022. With degrees in mass communications and english, their expertise lies in creating engaging content, managing social media accounts, and growing online presence.
With their passion for helping businesses thrive in the social media space, they are committed to providing excellent and personalized services to each client. Not only do they support businesses with providing services directly, they also participate in workshops and conferences, educating participants about the importance of social media marketing. Their mission is to provide consistent, organic social media marketing that empowers small businesses and startups to make an impact in the digital world.
Navi is also the proud owner of the RVA Black Farmer’s Market, founded in August 2020 and Markia has been volunteering at the RVA Black Farmer’s Market since its inception.
5/11/23
More Money from Your Markets
May 11, 2023, 5pm-6pm
You 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.
You will also learn how to track sales and expenses, use newsletters to communicate with customers and spotlight the best product in your business … YOU!
About our Speaker:
Kelly 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.
Worksheets:
Worksheet 1 – Customer Avatar and Crafting Your Brand Story Worksheet
3/17/23
Virginia Farmers Market Food Safety Summit
March 17, 2023; 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Will be recorded.
During this Food Safety Summit, the Virginia Farmers Market Association (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. Join us to make sure you are up-to-date on the state’s regulations.
10/12/22
Risk and Liability at Farmers Markets
with Katie Atkinson of New Oak Insurance
Recorded October 12, 2022
Anyone can sue anyone for anything. What makes a difference in your favor is that you take appropriate precautions, are compliant with local and state regulations, and are adequately covered by insurance.
If you run a farmers market or have a business that sells at farmers markets, watch this webinar. The information goes well beyond liability insurance.
Katie Atkinson of New Oak Insurance discusses issues to look out for and how to conduct an annual checkup. She also shares the questions to ask your insurance agent to make sure your market or vendor business is fully covered.
6/22/22
Online Workshop: Sales Strategy for Farmers Market Vendors
with Barb Lamb of The Apple Cart Company
Food marketing expert Barb Lamb of The Apple Cart Company partnered with VAFMA for this special 2 hour online workshop. The focus is entirely on increasing your farmers market sales.
Barb shares tips and techniques for engaging with customers and tourists. She discusses how to better communicate what makes you and your brand special. She walks you through:
- Defining your unique offering
- Creating your defining statement
- Positioning yourself to attract more shoppers
- Choosing words to use when a customer approaches
- Overcoming objections
- Establishing partnerships and cross promotions
- Improving pre-sales and online selling
- Gifting food products and holiday sales
We help you take the guess work out of social media, email, and sales by focusing on why you are in this business.
View recording.
5/26/22
3:00 PM
4 Photos Every Farm Needs
May 26, 2022, 3pm – 4pm, online
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.
DJ 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.
4/13/22
4/20/22
4/27/22
6:00 PM
2022 Farmers Market Preparedness Webinar Series
In partnership with Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach
Demand for healthy local food is increasing in the Commonwealth. Of course, the difficulty of getting your product to customers has increased too. VSU Small Farm Outreach Program is working with the Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) to share strategies and approaches to selling at farmers markets. This is a three-workshop series focused on social media marketing, basic market preparedness, and food safety.
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Session I: April 13, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Social Media Marketing – Using Short Video Clips to Connect with Customers
Connecting with your customers is an essential part of selling at farmers markets. Social media – especially short form videos — can help you do that. In this webinar, Shannon Loy of The Social Ginger will share the ins and outs of using videos to connect with customers. She will cover effective strategies, ideas for what to shoot, and thoughts on maintaining your privacy. She will also share tips for talking to a camera and for overcoming stage fright. A demonstration of how to best share content to social platforms will also be included.
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Session II: April 20, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Market Day Prep for Farmers Market Success
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.
Presentations, Links and Other Resources
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Session III: April 27, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Food Safety for Farmers Market Vendors
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.
5/16/22
1:00 PM
Virginia Market Manager Meeting – March 2022
The Virginia Farmers Market Association invites all Farmers Market Managers in Virginia to join us for our 2022 Season Kickoff meeting and training!
This online gathering is open to both members and non-members, free of charge.
March 16, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Theme: Connections & Changes Impacting Virginia’s Farmers Markets
During the first part of the meeting, VAFMA will connect you with people and resources that will help you navigate the 2022 market season. We will share policy and regulation updates impacting farmers markets while also sharing new funding and marketing resources.
The second part of the meeting will give you time to connect with other market managers in your region. Everyone will separate into Zoom breakout rooms by region.
You’ll leave updated and connected with a list of key contacts for help resolving market issues.
AGENDA
1:00 pm – 2:50 pm: Virginia Market Updates
2:50 pm – 3:00 pm: Stretch break
3:00 pm – 3:30 (or longer if your group wants more time together): Open conversation in breakout rooms by region
Welcome and introductions
Ricky Kowalewski, Market Manager, Lynchburg Community Market; VAFMA’s Blue Ridge Regional Director
Virginia is for Farmers Market Lovers, Virginia Certified Farmers Market System, & General Assembly updates
Kim Hutchinson, Executive Director, Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA)
Virginia Food Safety & Hemp Updates
Pam Miles, Program Supervisor, Food Safety Program, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
Virginia Department of Health Updates
Carol Puckett, Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
SNAP, EBT Equipment, Deauthorization, Market Manager Survey
Meredith Ledlie Johnson, Virginia Family Nutrition Program
Virginia Fresh Match incentives updates
Elizabeth Borst, Director, Virginia Community Food Connections
MOVE TO BREAKOUT ROOMS
Stretch break and then resume at 3:00 pm
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Regional discussions
2021 Farmers Market Preparedness Workshops
March 11, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Marketing/Social Media– Recording and Contact Info
February 25, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Food Safety – Recording, Slides and Contact Info
February 11, 2021, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Online Sales
January 28, 2021, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Vendor Preparedness
Demand for healthy local food is increasing in the Commonwealth. Of course, the difficulty of getting your products to customers has increased too.
VAFMA 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.
YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR ZOOM MEETING LINK IN THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A LINK, PLEASE EMAIL smallfarm@vsu.edu
If 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.
7/28/20
12:00 PM
Farmers Selling Online – Using Local Line
Brought to you by the Virginia Farmers Market Association and Virginia State University
In partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University College of Agriculture, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Farm Credit, Farm Credit Knowledge Center, Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia FAIRS.
July 28, 2020
The third webinar in the “Farmers Selling Online” series from VAFMA and the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program will take a closer look at the Local Line online platform. It will be directed at farmers but will also give market managers a better understanding of how the system works.
We will walk attendees through the setup process, tracking inventory and downloading reports. We’ll also cover pricing and customer payment options along with answering your questions about the program.
Register to join us live or to get notified of the recording.
Contributors:
Chris Walker, Local Line
Michael Carter, Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program
Kim Hutchinson, Virginia Farmers Market Association
Mary Delicate, Virginia Farmers Market Association
7/21/20
Farmers Selling Online – Using Lulus Local Food
Brought to you by the Virginia Farmers Market Association and Virginia State University
In partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University College of Agriculture, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Farm Credit, Farm Credit Knowledge Center, Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia FAIRS.
July 21, 2020
The next webinar in VSU and VAFMA’s “Farmers Selling Online” series will take a closer look at the Lulus Local Food online platform.
Join us July 21 at 1pm when we’ll walk farmers and market managers through the application process, setting up a store, tracking inventory, downloading reports and more.
We’ll also demonstrate how farmers and other vendors can use the platform as their own online store while selling through multiple online farmers markets.
A recording will be available to registrants.
Contributors:
Molly Harris, Lulus Local Food
Michael Carter, Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program
Kim Hutchinson, Virginia Farmers Market Association
Mary Delicate, Virginia Farmers Market Association
6/2/20
Farmers Selling Online – Choosing a Platform
Brought to you by the Virginia Farmers Market Association and Virginia State University
In partnership with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Farm Credit, Farm Credit Knowledge Center, Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia FAIRS.
June 2, 2020
This 90-minute webinar is for farmers who want to add an online store or online pre-ordering system to their operations. It provides practical details about 4 different platforms — Google Forms, Square, Lulus Local Food and Local Line via Virginia Market Maker. It also covers what to consider before choosing a platform.
Contributors:
Kim Hutchinson, Virginia Farmers Market Association
Michael Carter Jr., VSU Small Farm Outreach Program
Theresa Nartea, Virginia State University
Mary Delicate, Virginia Farmers Market Association
Molly Harris, Lulus Local Food
French Price, Virginia Cooperative Extension
4/28/20
Farmers Market Success During COVID-19: Market-Managed Online Sales
Recorded April 28, 2020
Due to COVID-19, demand for healthy local food is increasing. Of course, the difficulty of getting that food to customers has increased too. More and more customers are asking for markets to manage the online ordering process. The market managers in this training have decided to do that.
In this two hour training recording, you will hear about four markets – each one uses a different ordering platform and a different distribution system. One market has been online since 2013. The others are new since the coronavirus changed the farmers market landscape.
They share their successes and lessons learned along with their communication strategies, market rules, online platform decisions, payment methods and much more. VAFMA staff also share recommendations and resources.
4/23/20
Farmers Market Success During COVID-19: Vendor Managed Pre-orders
April 23, 2020
At a time when demand for healthy local food is skyrocketing, farmers markets face incredible hurdles. In this 3 hour online training, 5 market managers share how they are navigating this obstacle course using vendor-managed pre-orders.
They detail 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.
At each of these markets, vendors take their own pre-orders and online sales. However, the markets use different set-ups and processes to adapt to their available space and location restrictions.
There are drive thru markets, curbside pickups and walk through shopping. The markets are government, private and non-profit run; urban, rural and suburban.
VAFMA staff summarize the recommendations and resources shared. They also open up the discussion for Q&A.
4/16/20
Getting Your Market Open & Keeping it Open During COVID-19
April 16, 2020 12pm – 1:30 pm
This 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.
Meredith 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.
Kim 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.
Riko 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.
POSTPONED
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Food Safety Program Overview and Food Handler Best Practices at the Farmers Market
POSTPONED — REGISTER TO BE NOTIFIED OF NEW DATE
This 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.
The 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.
Speakers:
Meagan Musick
Food Technical Specialist
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Meagan has worked for the Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Program since 2010. She conducts inspections of retail food establishments and food manufacturers, covering 7 counties and localities (Radford, Pulaski County, Wythe County, Bland County, Galax, Carroll County, and Grayson County). Additionally, she also works closely with home food and commercial kitchen processors during their application process. Meagan lives in Pulaski, VA. She received her B.S. degree in Food Science and Technology from Virginia Tech.
Dr. Renee R. Boyer
Professor/Extension Specialist
Department of Food Science and Technology
Dr. Renee Boyer is a Professor and Extension Specialist in the Food Science and Technology department at Virginia Tech. Her research program focuses on enhancing the quality and safety of fresh produce through pre and post-harvest interventions, as well as researching, developing and evaluating educational training programs and messages aimed at consumers and other retail food handlers. Dr. Boyer‘s Extension program focuses on food handler food safety education, as well as food preservation. She received her M.S. and Ph. D. degrees in Food Science and Technology from Virginia Tech.
POSTPONED
Simple IRAs for Small Businesses Webinar
Risks faced by vendors and managers
POSTPONED — REGISTER TO BE NOTIFIED OF NEW DATE
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. As a benefit to the members of VAFMAA, Riko will review the risks faced by each participating vendor and operator of Farmers Markets.
As a Financial Advisor, Riko assists his small business owner clients to also save for their retirements and that of their employees via SIMPLE IRAs. These are similar to 401(k) plans, but designed for small businesses. It is vital for anyone saving for their retirement, to also manage the income tax impacts of various plans, as well as the fees associated with them. Simple IRAs are an excellent option for small business owners.
Riko will review the attributes of SIMPLE IRAs, and contract them with traditional IRAa and 401(k) plans.
Mr. Metzroth is a multi-year financial contributor to VAFMA, and truly cares about its members.
POSTPONED
The Produce Safety Rule, Exemptions and Market Requirements
POSTPONED — REGISTER TO BE NOTIFIED OF NEW DATE
About the Speaker:
Erik Bungo is the Program Supervisor for the newly established Produce Safety Program at the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS) in Richmond, VA.
He previously held several positions in the Food Safety Program to include: Northern Virginia Regional Manager, Virginia Rapid Response Team Coordinator, Food Safety Field Supervisor, and Sr. Food Safety Specialist for VDACS.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree from Juniata College in 2001, he began his career in food safety/food science holding multiple positions with various companies. In 2004, he joined VDACS as a Food Safety Specialist in the Arlington/Alexandria territory.
Erik is an active member of the Central Atlantic States Association of Food and Drug Officials (CASA) and has served on the executive board of CASA since 2008. He is also the CASA affiliate representative on the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Executive Board and Chair of the AFDO Produce Safety committee.
Previous Webinar Recordings
2/25/20
11:00am
Farmers Market Liability Webinar
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.
He 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.
Mr. Metzroth is a multi-year financial contributor to VAFMA, and truly cares about its members.
1/15/20
11:00am
Getting to Greener Webinar
Jennifer Cole and Zach Huntington of Clean Fairfax share products and programs that markets and farmers can use instead of single use plastics. They also discuss how markets can promote their sustainability to reach new customers.
12/18/19
12:00pm
Marketing 101:
Clarify Your Identity to Connect With Customers
In 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!)
12/13/19
11:00am
Virginia Industrial Hemp:
Current and Future Regulatory Structure
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the commercial production and sale of industrial hemp. Virginia passed their Industrial Hemp Act in 2019 and the regulatory structure continues to change and evolve. As interest in hemp and hemp products grow, hear how both VDACS and the industry are responding now and moving forward.
About the Presenters
Erin Williams, Senior Policy Analyst, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
Erin Williams has been with the VDACS for over 12 years. She has served in a variety of roles, including Dispute Resolution Specialist and Policy and Planning Coordinator for the agency’s Division of Consumer Protection. She is currently a Senior Policy Analyst in the agency’s Office of Policy, Planning, and Research and serves as the agency’s Regulatory Coordinator.
Ms. Williams has coordinated VDACS’s work to administer the Virginia Industrial Hemp Law since its enactment in 2015. Additionally, she oversees the agency’s Industrial Hemp Grower, Dealer, and Processor Registration programs. Ms. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut.
Kyle Shreve, Executive Director, Virginia Agribusiness Council
Kyle Shreve currently serves as the Executive Director for the Virginia Agribusiness Council, where he represents the Council’s diverse membership of businesses in both the agriculture and forestry industries. He holds a decade of trade association experience including representing the International Dairy Foods Association, Virginia Retail Merchants Association and the Virginia Association of Health Plans.
Kyle is originally from Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from The Pennsylvania State University. He moved to Northern Virginia in 2008 to begin his six-year tenure at the International Dairy Foods Association, focusing on legislative affairs at the federal level. Soon after receiving his Master of Professional Studies in Political Management from the George Washington University, Kyle moved to Richmond to work with the Virginia Retail Merchants Association as the Director of Government Affairs. He served in the role of Director of Policy at the Virginia Association of Health Plans prior to transitioning to the Virginia Agribusiness Council in May of 2018. Kyle lives in Midlothian with his wife Christie and their sons, Bennett and Connor.