Vermont Farmers Market Conference March 20, 2018

      Posted On: March 14, 2018

Vermont Law School

8:30 – 9:00 Registration (Yates Lounge)

9:00 – 9:15 Welcome (Yates Lounge)

9:15 – 10:00 Keynote (Yates Lounge)
Stagnant, Saturated or Ready to Surge? – The food retail market is undergoing major shifts
which are directly impacting Vermont producers and markets. Through research and dozens of
interviews with direct marketing stakeholders in Vermont and around the country, Jean Hamilton
provides a detailed analysis of the impacts of these changes on Vermont's local food system and
will share areas of opportunities and challenges for Vermont's direct to consumer food
marketers.

10:05 – 10:35 VLS Presents the Farmers Market Legal Toolkit (Yates Lounge)
Join us to learn about legal resources, best practice recommendations, and case studies for
market leaders. Using the newly launched Farmers Market Legal Toolkit, this session will show
you how to find resources to address some common questions, such as: What’s the best business
structure for my market? What are the legal implications of becoming a SNAP retailer? Someone
was injured at my market. What am I liable for?

10:45 – 11:45 Building Market Connections (Yates Lounge)
Break into small groups to network, brainstorm solutions, and share new ideas to respond to the
challenges markets face. The topics are: Market Legal Issues and Toolkit Uses, Defining and
Adhering to Market Rules, Food Access Challenges & Successes at Markets, Strategies for
Market Leaders to Support Vendors.

11:45-12:15 Lunch (Yates Lounge)
12:15-1:15 VTFMA Annual Meeting (Yates Lounge)
Every VTFMA member farmers market is invited to send a voting representative to learn about
2017 accomplishments, the 2018 work plan, and important updates that will affect markets
statewide. While only one representative from each market may vote, the meeting is open to
everyone interested in farmers markets.

1:15 – 3:45 Cutting Through The Noise: Successful Marketing Campaigns That Reach Consumers
As a follow-up to the NOFA Winter Conference workshop intensive, Rose and Jean are bringing
their marketing workshop tools and techniques straight to Farmers Markets! If you find yourself
asking, ‘What marketing is best if I just want to increase my market's sales?’ this workshop is for
you. Rosalie Wilson and Jean Hamilton will lead this hands-on intensive workshop to guide you
through the steps of creating a customer-centered marketing campaign for your farmers market.
Breaking down the essential components of a marketing plan, we will give you tools to develop a
deeper understanding of your customers, design goals and metrics to evaluate the success of your
campaigns, and prompt you to get your marketing creativity flowing.

3:50-4:30 Q&A with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture; the Vermont Department of Health; and

the Vermont Department for Children and Families (Yates Lounge)
Staff from these three state agencies will be present to provide brief updates for the 2018 season
and answer your questions.

4:30-6 Happy Hour and Networking at 5 Olde Tavern (192 Chelsea St., South Royalton).
Mingle with fellow attendees and continue some of the conversations that you started earlier in
the day. Light refreshments provided. Drinks and meals available for purchase.