Tent Talk

Our guest this week is Hannah Fuller, Communications Associate for the National Farmers Market Coalition. One of Hannah's projects is the popular guest Instagram program where markets from throughout the country take over FMC's account and provide new perspectives. In this episode Hannah explains the nuts and bolts of running an IG takeover and how online collaborations can amplify your farmers market's voice and expand your reach on social media.

This week's episode of Tent Talk is a live recording from the very last session of InTents: The Farmers Market Conference 2021! Catt, Brjiet and Justine reflect on their favorite conference sessions, answer some questions from attendees, and unpack salient points made over the course of the four day virtual event. Tune for an #InTents2021 conference debrief!

This week we're just doing a quick check-in to remind you that the Farmers Market Pros Team and 437 of their closest friends are hanging out live online right now at InTents, the Farmers Market Conference. We'll be there March 15th through 18th sharing talks from experts and experienced farmers market professionals all week. If you're not already there, it's not too late to join us. Jump over to farmersmarketpros.com to register. Choose a Learn and Grow registration and if you're joining us late you can access anything you've missed later this year. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market podcast. Thanks for listening!

This week our guest is farmer Matt Sylvester of Happy Acre Farm. Matt and his wife Helena farm on 2.5 acres in Alameda County, about 30 minutes outside of Oakland, California. Before starting his farm and selling his produce at farmers markets, Matt worked as a farmers market manager. But at the end of 2019 Happy Acre Farm transitioned away from farmers markets and now they focus their CSA program. In this episode we chat about the pros and cons of markets vs. CSA and get the inside scoop on what market managers can do to support their small farmers.

It's farmers market conference season, Spring is on its way, and it feels like there's a glimmer of light at the end of this long COVID-19 tunnel! But none of that changes the fact that farmers markets aren't going "back to normal" any time soon. On this week's episode of Tent Talk, we discuss how markets are feeling the impact of "pandemic fatigue," why there are currently so many farmers market job openings, and the exciting news about PPP loans for small businesses. Only 2 more weeks until the fifth annual InTents, the Farmers Market Conference, MARCH 15-18th, 2021! Tickets are still available, so register today. Enter TALK21 at checkout for a discount on your registration.

Our guest this week is Sari Kimbell, market manager and CPG expert. Through her education and consulting service, Food Business Success, Sari helps packaged food vendors grow and succeed at farmers markets and beyond. In this episode we talk about steps food makers can take to build a solid foundation for growth, the perks of launching your product at the farmers market, and the importance of seeking expert advice when expanding your business. To find out more about Sari and her CPG coaching and Farmers Market Masterclass, visit https://www.foodbizsuccess.com.

This week we're revisiting our conversation with Dr. Gail Myers, Agri-Cultural Anthropologist and co-founder of Farms to Grow, Inc. In our interview we chat about the inspiration for Farms to Grow Inc., what it takes to run a community farmers market with a mission, and the importance of studying the history of our food systems. Dr. Myers and her team are currently wrapping up post production on a multimedia documentary that explores the history of Black farmers in the United States. Support her efforts during Black History Month by visiting https://www.rhythmsoftheland.com/ and donating to that project!

It's been a minute since we've had a farmer on Tent Talk, so we were thrilled to be able to speak with JM Fortier, the author of the international best seller The Market Gardener, creator of The Market Gardener's Masterclass, and now publisher! In this episode we geek out about our love for farmers markets and the community they build and JM shares how markets played an integral role in launching his career and growing his farms. He also gives us the inside scoop on his latest ventures into magazine publishing and designing tools and workwear for farmers. Visit growers.co to find out more about JM's exciting new project.

Value added products aren't just fun for farmers market shoppers, they're extremely beneficial for farmers, ranchers and beekeepers looking reduce waste, increase their bottom line and expand their product offerings throughout the year. Our guest this week is value added expert Ellen Rawley who enlightened us on why value added products can be so helpful for farmers and changed our perception of what "value added" even means! She also walked us through the requirements for the USDA's Value Added Producer Grant (applications due March 22nd) which she dives deeper into in her Grant Writing Mentorship program. To find out more about the USDA Value Added Producer Grant visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants and https://www.ellenrawley.com/vapgreplay.

This week on Tent Talk we're joined by Corrina Smith, Executive Director of the Columbia Farmers Market and President of the Missouri Farmers Market Association. In our interview, Corrina reflects on what her market has been through in the last year and shares what it's like implementing COVID-19 safety protocols in her part of the country. We also discuss what we're looking forward to at this year's InTents: The Farmers Market Conference! Join us March 15th-18th - register today at farmersmarketpros.com/conference.