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Author Archives: Honesta Romberger
Where’s the beef (from)? Hawaii public school lunches go local
Honesta Romberger January 3, 2018Via Hawaii News Now: HONOLULU – Hawaii’s effort to grow its own food is taking a step forward as public school students are being served locally-grown beef for the first time in decades. It’s part of “Farm to School” initiative in which local, grass-fed ground beef will be served during the month of December. Elementary…
With pineapple and sugar production gone, Hawaii weighs its agricultural future
Honesta RombergerVia the Washington Post: KAHULUI, Maui — Tens of thousands of abandoned acres of farmland lie fallow on this island, cemeteries of Hawaii’s defunct plantation era, which met its end last year when the state’s last remaining sugar grower shut down an operation that had run for 146 years. Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co.’s sprawling…
FMC Teams Up with Farmspread to Offer Integrated Market Management & Data Collection Tools
Honesta Romberger December 18, 2017As part of our continuing efforts to provide our membership with the best resources for market managers and their vendors, FMC is excited to announce our first-ever official partnership with the vendor management website, Farmspread! What is Farmspread? Farmspread is a comprehensive and user-friendly market and vendor management tool. Market managers’ time is precious, and…
A Farewell Letter from Former FMC Board President, Bernadine Prince
Honesta Romberger December 11, 2017A Farewell Letter from Former FMC Board President, Bernadine Prince As I step down as president of the board of the Famers Market Coalition (FMC), I have reflected on the growth of FMC and the importance of its work on behalf of farmers markets and direct market farmers. In 2008, I was introduced to…
FMC Leadership Transitions
Honesta RombergerBernadine Prince for has served on the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) Board of Directors for nearly 10 years, serving six of those years as President. FMC has flourished under her leadership, gratefully benefitting from her experience and expertise as a co-founder and director of DC’s incredible FRESHFARM Markets. Since retiring from FRESHFARM in the fall…
UT Workshops to Teach Farmers How to Keep Records for Value-Added Enterprises – Dec 12, 13, 14 & March 13, 14,15
Honesta Romberger December 6, 2017Keeping good business records is critical for any value-added farm business, says Hal Pepper, Financial Analysis Specialist with University of Tennessee Extension. “Direct marketers, food processors and agritourism operators who keep good records are better able to analyze their costs and returns and evaluate market outlets.” In December of this year and March 2018, Pepper…
Your Donations in Action!
Honesta Romberger December 4, 2017We here at FMC are thankful for your generosity! Thanks to your donations, we were able to kick off the Farmer Fly-In Project last month, by sending Liz Whitehurst, owner of Owl’s Nest Farm, to speak with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Liz, a Maryland farmer (who was also recently featured in a Washington Post article about…
PickTN Conference in Chattanooga, TN – February 15-17, 2018
Honesta Romberger November 29, 2017Pick This Conference To Grow Your Business February 15-17, 2018 • Chattanooga Marriott, Chattanooga, Tennessee Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in educational sessions, tradeshow and networking with producers from across the state. Join us on Friday, February 16th for our first ever all conference banquet that will join all 7 state associations for an…
Developing Value-Added Agriculture Businesses Workshops – Nov. 20-22, 2017
Honesta Romberger November 7, 2017Giving careful consideration to business planning is the first step for any farm business wanting to develop a value-added enterprise. Farmers who identify trends and market opportunities and develop a well thought out business plan may enhance their likelihood of success. Developing Value-Added Agriculture Businesses is designed to help farmers identify business planning considerations, grant…
From Civil Eats: Farmers Markets are Beloved, but the Government May Cut Their Funding
Honesta Romberger November 2, 2017A recent Civil Eats article about Farmers Market Promotion Program has raised concerns from members about the likely fate of of the program. The article correctly points out that the Presidential Budget for FY2018 that came out back in May proposed eliminating funding for that program, but fails to mention that the House Agriculture Appropriations…
