3-16 IAN Farmer's Markets

 Farmer’s markets growing in Idaho. I’m David Sparks and I’ll be right back with that story. The number of farmers markets in Idaho has more than doubled since 2006!  With the number and size of markets growing and more and more customers visiting farmers markets every season, there is much potential to be captured.  The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is partnering with the University of Idaho Extension service to provide training for markets in the areas of marketing, promotion and business planning. 

“Consumers are increasingly looking for new options to purchase fresh local products directly from the farmer and truly enjoy supporting local businesses in these current economic times,” says Lacey Menasco, Trade Specialist at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. “By enhancing their marketing and business planning, markets and vendors can meet consumer demand and expand their sales at the same time.” 

Lacey: “I’ve been working with U of I extensions to put together a workshop for farmers markets, we’re going to be doing 4 of these around the state, to help them develop in any way they need to promotion, different ways to do advertising, different ways to use your relationships to help draw people into the market and build up the market and also do some training on how to develop a business plan.

If you want to be involved in a farmers market you should plan on attending this valuable training.  Pre-registration is required.  For more information contact Lacey Menasco at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture at (208)332-8538, or lacey.menasco@agri.idaho.gov. There also will be break-out sessions with topics specific to market managers and vendors.  This workshop will be held at the Ada County Weed and Pest Building in Meridian, Idaho, on Saturday, February 27, from 8:30am-4:00pm.