The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a regional workshop in Olathe on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers. This is the second of four regional workshops which are being hosted by KDA this year.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2016, 75 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets. 

“Selling food directly to consumers through farmers’ markets provides growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, but there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing this marketing tool,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.

Workshop topics will include:

• Keynote speaker on Successful Farmers’ Market Vending
• Update on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) — produce safety and processed foods
• Double Up Food Bucks SNAP matching program
• Food safety considerations for processed foods
• Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Certified Farmer Training
• Regulations on selling meat, eggs, and poultry direct to consumers
• Cover cropping and other soil health strategies

KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale certification at the workshop for attendees.

The workshop will be held at KSU Olathe, 22201 W. Innovation Dr. in Olathe. Onsite registration will open at 8:30 and the workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m.

Registration for this workshop is now open and is $20 per participant, which includes lunch. Lunch cannot be guaranteed for those registering after February 1. 

Registration is available online at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMConference or at the Johnson County Extension Office. The completed registration form and payment should be sent to: KSU Olathe, c/o Londa Nwadike, 22201 W. Innovation Dr., Olathe, KS 66061.

KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. These workshops will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas businesses more successful.

For more information, please contact Londa Nwadike, KSU Research and Extension, at (913) 307-7391 or lnwadike@ksu.edu.