The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a regional workshop in Wichita on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in conjunction with the Central Kansas Market Grower Vendor Workshop. This is the first of four regional workshops which are being hosted by the KDA this year to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2016, 75 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.  

“Selling food directly to consumers through farmers’ markets provides growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, but there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing this marketing tool,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.

Workshop topics will include:
• Beginning High Tunnels
• Morel Mushroom Identification Certification
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Training
• K-State Variety Trial Results
• Production of Uncommon Fruits
• Resources for Farmers’ Markets
• On-Farm Mobile Cooling Technology
• Growing Mushrooms to Sell
• Regulations for Selling Meat, Eggs and Poultry Direct to Consumer
• Keynote: Building Healthy Systems for Profitability
• Keynote: Pollinators & Organic Insect Management

KDA’s Division of Weights and Measures will also offer free scale certification for workshop attendees. 

The workshop will be held at KSRE Sedgwick County Extension Office, 7001 W. 21st Street N, Wichita, Kan. Onsite registration will open at 8:15 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 8:45 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. Registration for this workshop is now open and is $20 per participant through Friday, January 27. Late registration is $25 after that date. Registration includes lunch.

Registration forms can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMConference or at the Sedgwick County extension office website: www.sedgwick.k-state.edu. Please return the completed form and payment to: KSU Sedgwick Co. Extension Office, c/o Rebecca McMahon, 7001 W. 21st Street N, Wichita, KS 67205.

KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. These workshops will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas businesses more successful.

For more information, please contact Rebecca McMahon, Sedgwick County Extension office, at (316) 660-0142 or rmcmahon@ksu.edu.