Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, & Logistics

We are on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Dakota people, as well as other Indigenous nations who have lived, worked, and stewarded these lands. Minnesota is home to 11 Tribal Nations today, and their ongoing contributions to agriculture, food systems, and community resilience are deeply significant.

As we come together to strengthen local food systems and support farmers’ markets, let us reflect on the profound relationship between the land and those who cultivate it. May we honor this history and build relationships rooted in respect, reciprocity, and sustainability.

Let us hold this acknowledgment as a call to action—to engage with and support Indigenous communities in meaningful ways as we work towards a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

Sina War

MFMA Farmers' Market Advocate

MFMA at Work for Farmers' Markets, Food Farmers, Food Makers, Fiber Farmers

Farmers' Market Academy, Cottage Foods Academy, multiple grant-funded projects, winter season classes, and more.

Kathy Zeman

MFMA Executive Director

2026 Legislative Issues for MFMA

Join Friendly for a presentation and discussion about the legislative issues MFMA is working on to advance the viability of farmers' markets, farmers, vendors, and communities.

Friendly Vang-Johnson

MFMA Director of Government Affairs

Door Prize #1 and 15-Minute Break

$100 Gift Certificate at a Minnesota Cooks Restaurant of Your Choice

Find the restaurant in your area here.

Under "Location Categories" search by region & restaurant.

 10:55 - 11:30am

Meet MFMA 2025 - 2028 Board Directors

Kathy Zeman

MFMA Executive Director

Minnesota Grown Membership Benefits

The Minnesota Grown Program is a statewide partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and producers of Minnesota agricultural products. Minnesota Grown creates the online Minnesota Grown Directory, and works hard to provide members with marketing tools and resources.

Mallory will discuss the many benefits of being a Minnesota Grown member, including all the free marketing materials.

Mallory Forseth

Minnesota Grown Program Manager

Door Prize #2 

$100 Gift Certificate for Minnesota Grown Merchandise

Lunch On Your Own

Wellness With Laura

Laura Fredrickson-

Gosewisch

Greetings from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Commissioner Brown brings news about the newly-formed CYF department as well as her department's leading efforts on food security across Minnesota & Tribal Nations as the federal government's support for SNAP and other food access programs wanes.

MDCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown

Door Prize #3

$100 Gift Certificate to Black Garnet Books

Breakout Session: Issues & Solutions at Farmers' Markets Around SNAP and Food Access Programs

The confusion around SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown was felt across the the U.S. and here in Minnesota. Although late in the year, several markets were still operating and had to navigate how to provide food to their shoppers whether there were benefits on their cards or not. Looking forward, if the proposed federal SNAP cuts happen, those cuts have the potential to remove 1000s of dollars from MN farmers' markets' vendors.

In this session, attendees will join breakout rooms to discuss issues and solutions.

 Door Prize #4

$100 Gift Certificate at a Minnesota Cooks Restaurant of Your Choice

Find the restaurant in your area here.

Under "Location Categories" search by region & restaurant.

Cottage Foods Update

The cottage food industry in MN is expanding rapidly and with that growth comes change and an increased need for educational support. This session will look at MDA's renewal date change, MFMA and CLUES's Spanish manual, MFMA's free monthly zoominars, and more.

Additionally, in April 2026, the CottageFoodieCon is coming to MN - get those details here!

Housekeeping for tomorrow & Door Prize #5

$100 Gift Certificate from the

Farmers' Market of Your Choice

Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, & Logistics

We are on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Dakota people, as well as other Indigenous nations who have lived, worked, and stewarded these lands. Minnesota is home to 11 Tribal Nations today, and their ongoing contributions to agriculture, food systems, and community resilience are deeply significant.

As we come together to strengthen local food systems and support farmers’ markets, let us reflect on the profound relationship between the land and those who cultivate it. May we honor this history and build relationships rooted in respect, reciprocity, and sustainability.

Let us hold this acknowledgment as a call to action—to engage with and support Indigenous communities in meaningful ways as we work towards a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

 Sina War

MFMA Farmers' Market Advocate

SNAP EBT & Market Bucks Another Record High 

For the 4th year in a row, MN farmers' markets played a key role in providing local food to their communities. Jill will share the results of 2025 - and explain any changes for 2026.

2025 - 2026 Senior/Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Updates
Senior / Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program overview and updates from Ashley Bress and Christina Illiev of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Joining will be Phil Blalock, executive director of the National Association of Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs.

Stephanie Wagner

Associate Programs Director - Affordable Grocery, The Food Group Minnesota

Ashley Bress

Ag Marketing & Development

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Coordinator

Senior / Farmers' Market Nutrition Program  

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Phil Blalock

Executive Director

National Association of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs

Door Prize #6

$100 Gift Certificate for a Minnesota Cooks Restaurant of Your Choice

Find the restaurant in your area here.

Under "Location Categories" search by region & restaurant. 

Mankato Farmers' Market Study

Sabri Fair

Farm Profitability + Farm Purchasing Tips

MFMA's vision is to 'grow more farmers' in order to 'grow more farmers' markets' in order to 'feed more communities.'  

The sharp increase in farmers in Minnesota is in the direct marketing area, many selling at farmers' markets. These new / emerging farmers need to learn farm financial recordkeeping so they can assess their profitability for the long run. 

Laura, Nura, and Erik will describe the ways Grow Your Green and Renewing the Countryside's farm business management program can help farmers at all stages of growth. Additionally, they'll walk through examples of stacking low-interest loans to purchase farmland. 

Erik Heimark

MFMA GYG - Farm Profitability Specialist

RTC FBM Specialist

Laura Cullip

RTC FBM Specialist

Nura Ahmed

RTC FBM Specialist

Door Prize #7 

$100 Gift Certificate from Spirit Lake Native Farms.

LUNCH On Your Own

Yoga & Breath Work: Nourishing You

Alicia's Poem from Morgan Harper Nichols:

"For The One Who Gives So Much For Everyone Else"

Yoga Instructor

ALERT! This afternoon is interactive and requires your active participation!  

There are 4 breakout rooms. You will have a chance to participate in 3 of the 4 topics. A moderator will guide the conversation and ensure everyone has the opportunity to share.

1. Moderator Introduction (~5 minutes)
 The moderator will introduce themselves and briefly share their connection to the topic.

2. Group Discussion (~20 minutes)
  - The moderator will pose two guiding questions.
  - Participants are encouraged to share verbally.
  - Anyone who prefers to write may add their thoughts directly into a document.

3. Wrap-Up (~5 minutes)
The moderator will summarize key themes and note ideas to carry forward.

4. Moderators Share to Group (~30 minutes)

Breakout Room Topics

1. Community Engagement - Sina War, moderator
2. Marketing & Fundraising - Raji Vela, moderator
3. Vendor Diversity Branding - Xor McCray, moderator

Door Prize #8 

$100 Gift Certificate from the

Farmers' Market of Your Choice

2:05 - 3:05pm

Breakout Room Topics

1. Community Engagement - Sina War, moderator
2. Marketing & Fundraising - Raji Vela, moderator
3. Vendor Diversity Branding - Xor McCray, moderator

Door Prize #9

$100 Gift Certificate for a Minnesota Cooks Restaurant of Your Choice

Find the restaurant in your area here.

Under "Location Categories" search by region & restaurant. 

Breakout Room Topics

1. Community Engagement - Sina War, moderator
2. Marketing & Fundraising - Raji Vela, moderator
3. Vendor Diversity Branding - Xor McCray, moderator

Sina War

MFMA Farmers' Market Advocate

THANK YOU! Final Door Prize #10!

Win a banner like this from ProGraphics!(612) 701- 4011

Sina War

MFMA Farmers' Market Advocate