Note the room and time for each panel/workshop listed below. This event will not have any food or refreshments provided. Please pack your own lunch or plan to get lunch at the concession stands downstairs at the Ag Trades Show!
Marketing your Market – PR & Media Strategies
11:30 to 12:15 in Piscataquis Room
There are many ways to get media attention for your market, and it is a great (and free) way to raise awareness about your market’s existence and special events. Learn from real examples and best practices from our panelists in the world of journalism and farmers’ markets.
Panelists:
Amy Sinclair – Manager of Yarmouth Farmers’ Market and former journalist
Laura McCandlish – Freelance radio producer, journalist, food-writer, and farmers’ market shopper
Kelsey Kobik – Maine Farm Photographer and digital marketing consultant
Market Managers Roundtable
12:45 to 1:30 in Washington/York (Bring your lunch!)
Hear updates from markets around the state and share & discuss the happenings, successes, and challenges at your own market. This roundtable is always a crowd favorite!
Hosted by Mark Guzzi, MFFM Board Chair & Peacemeal Farm
Accessibility at Farmers’ Markets
1:30 to 2:15pm in Piscataquis Room
Take a closer look around your market: Are there obstacles that may prevent some people from feeling comfortable and being able to move around safely? Markets often can’t change the infrastructure of their space (such as curb placement or slopes). However, there are usually simple steps that will make the market more accessible to more people, and safer for all visitors. Being accessible to individuals with mobility challenges, vision problems, hearing loss, and other obstacles makes a farmers’ market more welcoming, and also broadens the shopper base.
Panelists:
Jill S. Johanning, AIA, of Access Design
Ketra Crosson, OTR/L, Independent Living Specialist
Karen, Farmers’ Market Shopper!
SNAP & Maine Harvest Bucks Orientation
1:30 to 2:15pm in Sagadahoc Room
Accepting SNAP & Maine Harvest Bucks makes your market accessible to the nearly 12% of the population who shop with the federal nutrition benefits. In this session, we’ll provide a high level orientation on what it takes for markets to get SNAP and Maine Harvest Bucks up & running.
Presenter: Emily Grassie, SNAP Program Coordinator at MFFM
Growing your business at farmers’ markets (Best Practices for Success at FM’s)
2:30pm to 3:15pm in Piscataquis Room
Farmers’ markets support hundreds of businesses in Maine. This workshop will bring in some seasoned market vendors who will share the stories of growing their business at farmers’ markets and identify common themes for what led to their success.
All Panelists are Members of the Cumberland Falmouth Farmers’ Market Association, including: Don Gaile, Sue Mack, Kathy Shaw, Lorelei Greenwood Jones, and Ben Daley.
Retirement and Health Insurance Discussion
2:30pm to 3:15pm in Sagadahoc Room
Learn from a Financial Advisor about ways to save for your retirement and even offer retirement benefits to your employees. Preparing your business to be bought/sold will also be touched upon. Staff from Community Health Options will also share information on access to health insurance for small business owners and their employees.
Presenters:
Leigh Daggett – Financial Advisor at Daggett & Associates (CRPC®, CLU®, ChFC®)
Kaleb Mayhew – Small Group Business Consultant at Community Health Options
Fundraising for your Market
3:30pm to 4:15pm in Piscataquis Room
Fundraising offers additional income to support ongoing programs, pay for staff support, or further promote your market in new ways. If your market is not fundraising, then you are missing out! Panelists will share their successes & challenges in raising funds for their markets. Resources will be shared & best practices identified!
Panelists:
Erica Emery, Farmington Farmers’ Market Association
Dot Avery & Michelle Gill, Managers of Kittery Community Market
Beginning Vendors Panel
3:30pm to 4:15pm in Sagadahoc Room
Connect with vendors who are newer to the farmers’ market community and learn of their unique perspectives, successes and challenges.
Panelists:
Becky Deering, Tiny Roots Organic Farm
Andrew Toothacker, Hart Farm