News
FM Summit Proceedings Available
Stacy March 24, 2008Staff at USDA Agricultural Marketing Service have been hard at work since November’s first ever National Farmers Market Summit, and the final draft of the Summit Proceedings Report is now available at their web site. Visit the National Farmers Market Summit Proceedings Report to read about the 12 priorities identified by the 75 Summit participants,…
Training: How to Create Successful Markets
Stacy February 16, 2008To be truly successful, markets need four crucial elements: the right mix of vendors and products; a strong sense of place; solid economic and operational underpinnings; and a firm commitment to the surrounding community. The Project for Public Spaces will host a How to Create Successful Markets training course on May 16-17, 2008. Through this…
Funding Opportunity: Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program
Stacy February 14, 2008The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $500,000 (subject to availability of funds) for Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions (Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). The purpose of this cooperative partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information in the…
Market Manager Workshop to be Held in Rochester, NY
Stacy February 13, 2008On March 6th – 8th, the New York Farmers’ Market Federation is sponsoring a professional farmers’ market managers training program in Rochester, New York. The workshop is sponsored by USDA SARE Professional Development Program and represents the second in a three-year series of workshops. The goal of the program is to develop the skills of…
AMS Announces 2008 FMPP Funding Opportunity
Stacy February 11, 2008AMS has approximately $1 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. The maximum award per grant is $75,000. No matching funds are required. The grant application is due March 24th. Although the grant is called the Farmers Market Promotion…
Indiana Offers Specialty Crop Marketing Grants
Stacy February 6, 2008On January 30th, 2008, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced the availability of specialty crop grant funds made possible by the Specialty Crop Block Grant provided by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Through four different programs, ISDA seeks to increase specialty crop marketing opportunities. All are provided at no cost to producers.…
Farmers’ Market Vouchers Boost Produce Consumption Among WIC Participants, Study Finds
Stacy January 18, 2008Jan 16, 2008 A study in this month’s American Journal of Public Health suggests that participants in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) consume more fruits and vegetables when they shop at farmers’ markets rather than grocery stores, the New York Times reports. To evaluate the efficacy of produce…
Farmers' Market Vouchers Boost Produce Consumption Among WIC Participants, Study Finds
StacyJan 16, 2008 A study in this month’s American Journal of Public Health suggests that participants in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) consume more fruits and vegetables when they shop at farmers’ markets rather than grocery stores, the New York Times reports. To evaluate the efficacy of produce…
