MFMA 2021 Conference Recordings & Resources 

Conference Recordings:

December 7, 2022:

• Record Year For Food Security at MN Farmers' Markets - Markets across MN did their best to address food security in their communities in 2022. From the Marshall FM collaboration with SMSU students to the annual Market Bucks report for the outdoor FM season, listen to the numbers and hear the stories. With Jill Westfall, Peter Woitock, Hunger Solutions, MN and Kim Guenther MFMA

• Re-Assessing Your Market Through an Anti-Racist Lens - Join us for an important look and discussion about the FMC Anti-Racist Farmers' Market Toolkit, its context, what drives these two professionals to do this work, and what they hope the toolkit provides for all of us.   Keynote by Karla Forrest-Hewitt and Stacey Whitney, FMC workgroup

• MFMA Annual Report - Join MFMA Staff and Board of Directors as we look back at 2022, and head to 2023. With Kathy Zeman, MFMA

December 8, 2022:

• Tackling The 2022 Issues -Time to Network!- Join in as we 'crowd source' answers to a list of issues that came into MFMA inboxes & voice mails: too many dogs / bites / fights; bad wind events; handling non-compliant (not legal) vendors; balancing zero waste packaging while protecting vendors from food safety issues; disturbances at markets; blocking / removing hurtful social media posts, edible THCs, and so many more.  This session will be a virtual round circle gathering as we share experiences, what worked, what didn't, and support each other.

  
  

• Tune Up Time For Managers - Lots of new rules, many overlooked old ones provides a perfect opportunity for us to review MFMA's Quick Reference Guide so markets can enter 2023 in the compliance lane. Sign up for a free training from MFMA to zoom into your market's vendor training meeting in 2023. With MFMA Staff

  
  

• There Are No Farmers' Markets Without Farmers - Farmers don't last long if they aren't profitable. And farmers can't be profitable if they don't embrace recordkeeping & financials. Learn from a myriad of sources about numerous resources - all housed under something we're calling our "Farm Finance Resources Collaborative." And then pass this along to all your farmer vendors! With Jenny Heck, Erik Heimark, and Dan Zimmerli

  
  

• Considering a Hub For Your Market? - Five years into this business venture, learn from experienced farmers' market hubs, brand new hubs, SHIP support, and the leadership team, about the potential for growth and the ongoing support needed to build up Minnesota's local foodshed, one farmers' market food hub at a time.  With Allison Rian, Wililyn Dowell, Chris Allen, Bjorn Solberg, Tina Moen, Jane Jewett, and Sara George

• FM360 - Some say stories are a powerful way to educate; but even more powerful is the combination of data + stories. FM360, Minnesota's own farmers' market metrics project,  has collected 6 years of data from 123 farmers' markets - and is amassing significant intel on the economic impact of farmers' markets in MN's local foodshed. BUT MORE IS NEEDED. FM360 Lead Joe Nowak from UMN will explain the project; Minnesota Grown Program Manager Mallory Forseth will offer a special introduction.

Additional Resources:

• PowerPoint - Reassessing Your Market Through an Anti-Racist Lens
• PowerPoint - Hunger Solutions Minnesota Report
• PowerPoint - Marshall Farmers' Market Token Program
• PowerPoint - MFMA Annual Report
• PowerPoint - Requirements at MN Farmers' Markets - Quick Reference Guide
• PowerPoint - FM360
• PowerPoint - Record Keeping for Small Farms

Thank you to our conference sponsors!