The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) are partnering to host the first farmers’ market conference in five years. The conference will be held in Topeka at the Downtown Ramada Hotel and Convention Center Feb. 28 through March 1.

The two-day conference is for market organizers, farmers, vendors and community to come together for continuing education opportunities, collaboration and networking. Well-known professionals specializing in community economic development, public health policies and more will be keynote speakers at the conference and will share information about new federal and state initiatives available to farmers’ markets, nutrition programs and how policy changes in communities can help encourage farmers’ market growth.

“We are very excited to partner with KDHE and reintroduce the Kansas Farmers’ Market Conference,” said Annarose Hart, From the Land of Kansas specialist. “The dynamic selection of workshops, interactive platforms and activities led by industry professionals are tailored to meet everyone’s specific needs – including market managers, farmers, vendors and community leaders.”

The popularity of farmers’ markets continues to increase across the state. Farmers’ markets give growers and small businesses the opportunity to cultivate relationships with their customers and keep money in local Kansas communities.

“Farmers’ markets are economic engines for rural and urban communities,” said Hart. “KDA has already worked to provide tools to farmers’ markets through the Farmers’ Markets Promotion Act and the Central Registration of Kansas Farmers’ Market; the conference is just one more avenue to provide tools and tips for markets and vendors to grow and expand.”

The conference will be held at the Downtown Ramada Hotel and Convention Center. Costs for attendees will be $25 per day or $40 for both days. In addition, a discount of $5 a day is given to From the Land of Kansas members and to market managers who have registered their market with the Central Registration of Kansas Farmers’ Markets. Conference attendees may register online and pay with a credit card or the attendee registration form can be found here and can be mailed in. Pre-registration by Feb. 14 is preferred. For more information about the event, view the conference schedule and speakers, please visit FromtheLandofKansas.com/farmersmarketconference.