Kansas Farmers' Market Conference

I’m headed to Topeka, Kansas this morning to speak at the Kansas Farmers’ Market Conference. “Growing Together" is the theme for the conference, which is a great focus this year! I will be presenting in the market track on Effective Communication at the Market: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communications.

The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. program will also include a session on grants and programs that can assist farmers´ markets and value-added businesses in enhancing their direct marketing. Another session will provide an update on recent changes in the regulation of market products to ensure food safety and provide adequate consumer information.

The first half of the afternoon will provide for five your-choice break-out groups that attend multiple sessions, focused on a single
topic:

* Cut flowers and plants,
* Launching or revitalizing a market,
* Meat and dairy,
* Marketing and display, and
* Managers and boards.

The conference organizers are the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops (KCSAAC), based with Kansas State University Research and Extension; the Kansas Department of Commerce; the Kansas Department of Agriculture; and the Kansas Rural Center.