Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2008

Series of Farmers’ Market Workshops Focus on Marketing and Promotion for the Missouri Farmer

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – On Feb. 7, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), in conjunction with the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri™, will begin a series of statewide farmers’ market workshops focused on marketing and promoting farmers’ markets and information on starting a market in Missouri communities. The workshops will be open to market masters, vendors and those interested in starting a farmers’ market.

“Farmers’ markets are great avenues for Missouri producers to sell their fresh produce to consumers across our state,” said Katie Smith, director of MDA. “Missouri’s agriculture is an economic engine for the state’s economy. Farmers’ markets are an essential part of agriculture. These workshops will benefit markets by showing the proven do’s and don’ts of marketing and promotion.”

Missouri offers consumers fresh produce and local food at more than 130 farmers’ markets across the state. Markets are becoming increasingly popular with farmers moving towards direct marketing of their products and with beginning farmers.

The Farmers’ Market Workshops will be held in six cities across the state. The schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, Feb. 7
  Black River Electric Facility, Fredericktown
• Tuesday, Feb. 26
  St. Charles County Extension, St. Peters
• Thursday, Feb. 28
  Springfield Library Center, Springfield
• Monday, March 3
  Cole County Extension Office, Jefferson City
• Tuesday, March 4
  Adair County Extension Office, Kirksville
• Wednesday, March 5
  Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, Kansas City

For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact Lane McConnell, marketing specialist with MDA, at (573) 751-4339 or Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov. Informational brochures and registration forms can also be found at www.agrimissouri.com or www.mofarmersmarket.blogspot.com.

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