There's a lot of talk about farmers markets right now. We're on the front line of food safety. With big box grocery prices climbing we're now often the better bargain. National Farmers Market Week is upon us. Of course, more attention brings enthusiastic reviews and also clickbait and uninformed experts. So now, more than ever, we need to be speaking up, sharing tales from the tents, and educating our target audience: everyone who eats. In this new season of Tent Talk, Telling Our Stories, farmers, makers, farmers market managers and even some shoppers will recount their market journeys. We'll be suggesting some of the best ways that you can share your stories and respond to inaccurate reports. And we'll look at how we can all work together to be sure the important points get made, again and again. Tune in to this first episode of the new season as we discuss:

• When challenges are also opportunities, or how to discuss poop soup
• Keeping an eye on what's being said
• To respond or not to respond, that is the question
• Tuning in to what the public thinks, and sharing what we know

Celebrating all the things is an easy way to remind ourselves that we have the best (albeit weirdest) job in the world. We work really hard, whether the public knows it or not. So for vendors, farmers and market teams, a little frivolity can go a long way in making people feel recognized and in relieving the pressure that we're under as we monitor regulations, manage conflict and deal with traffic. If we're also cutting a little cake or getting a bouquet handed to us it can really change the day. Listen in as we talk about everyday celebrations.

• It's easy to find things to celebrate
• Recognition of birthdays and anniversaries mean a lot
• Sharing your team's accomplishments reminds the public that there IS a team
• Start now to plan bigger celebrations like National Farmers Market Week

Farmers markets do everything they can to bring people to the market to shop. And sometimes we go beyond our grocery store in the street identity to make it more fun to stick around. Programming can mean dancing and demos, crafts and cooking. The best weekly offerings tie into fresh food and benefit our farmers. Tune in to this episode to get some new ideas

• Booking music that complements rather than distracts
• Making sure cooking demos use market ingredients
• Spreading the word about your special events
• Letting kids convince their parents to come back
• Teaching people to cook makes them more likely to shop

Shout out to the Dallas Farmers Market cooking demo by L.A. Farm Girl (pictured) coming up June 11th

Even in the age of AI and digital deliveries, farmers markets are growing. People hunger for personal connection, real food and the quality that only comes from human creativity and craft. In this episode recorded live at the 2026 InTents National Farmers Market Conference, Catt Fields White and author David Sax discuss how markets can leverage the power of analog to retain loyal shoppers and make life better. Listen in and consider: • What bookstores, typewriters and farmers markets have in common • The response to high tech is high touch • Farmers markets as cultural touchstones • Emphasizing service and hospitality • The comfort of community in chaotic times

Discovering new vendors that fill a need for shoppers at your farmers market is like hitting the jackpot. Finding the market that's the perfect fit for your business and your schedule is every vendor's goal. Communicate clearly and everybody wins. This week the Farmers Market Pros are talking about balancing all the pieces that create a smooth, straightforward and welcoming application. With just a little effort on both sides the process can be the start of wonderful working relationships. Start here:

• Know where you're headed and make your application a map
• Put that application button in all the places
• Find the right balance: more welcoming, less gatekeeping
• When applying, be as specific as possible
• Auto responders and market management platform tools save precious time

The USDA just opened the Local Agricultural Market Program (LAMP) request for proposals and Farmers Market Promotion Program applications are due on June 5th. This funding has been a moving target the last couple of years, with tight deadlines, slow responses and sometimes sudden terminations to confirmed contracts. Still, the grant amounts are some of the largest available to farmers markets seeking to accomplish big, multi-year projects. This week we're talking to Reza Djalal of the Adams County Farmers Market. He's been part of a successful FMPP grant project and is submitting again this year. Listen in as we chat about:

• What kind of preparation will help meet this tight deadline
• Framing your project as one that helps farmers
• Checking meticulously for typos and math errors
• The weight USDA gives to naming partners (like Farmers Market Pros)
• Making your 35 page proposal "beautiful"

Kicking off this season of Tent Talk, the farmers market podcast, we're looking back at last month's InTents National Farmers Market Conference. Our theme for this series is Past Tents; Future Tents so today we're recapping what we heard and saw at the tenth annual conference, and thinking about ways we might come back even stronger in 2028. Listen in and join us in the comments while we consider: • The importance of meeting in real life. Zoom fatigue, anyone? • Messages and ideas that really stuck with us. What were your favorites? • Adding additional tracks for new and experienced market managers to deep dive • Partnering with a friendly non-profit to fund scholarships. Know anyone? • Staying in touch between conferences with live calls, focus groups and more This episode of Tent Talk is supported by the National Farmers Market Survey 2026. You have until THIS Thursday to answer the questions and contribute to a knowledge base that will benefit us all. Click the Michigan State University logo on the Resource page at FarmersMarketPros.com to access the survey today.

We're in a farmers market (state association) state of mind.

You already know we like all things local and farmers market associations are no exception. This episode of Tent Talk is all about the value of state market associations. Featuring Maggie Funkhouser, Director of the North Carolina Farmers Market Network, we discuss how state specific associations create more resilient markets, better market managers, and stronger food systems.

This episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast is supported by Manage My Market.

The future of farmers markets starts with surveys That's right folks! The National Farmers Market Survey is right around the corner and we're discussing it in detail on this weeks episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast. Featuring local leader, data enthusiast, and food systems advocate, Amanda Edmonds, we're digging into everything about one of our industry's most important and influential surveys. What we're covering: What the survey is and why it matters Who it helps and the impact it has Important dates and deadlines Necessary info needed to submit Learn more and meet Amanda Edmonds at the InTents Conference in just one month: March 1st-4th, 2026. This episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast is supported by Square.

Farmers markets are based on human relationships and market manager communities are no exception In this weeks episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast, we're highlighting opportunities to strengthen your relationships with other farmers market professionals in your region and across the country. From national conferences to local meet ups, we're covering a range of ways you can engage in-person with the very people whose job is just as weird as yours. What we're covering: The importance of networking with your peers Local conferences coming up Ways we'll be helping to build connections at inTents 2026 This episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast is supported by Loco Canopies.