Farmers’ markets and direct-to-consumer opportunities are growing across the state.

Farmers’ markets and direct-to-consumer sales continue to be an important source of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and other value added agricultural products from small towns to large metropolitan areas. In 2021, 89 farmers' markets were registered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Central Registration of Farmers' Markets.

The 2022 Farmers' Market/Direct-to-Consumer Workshops will be held virtually January 31 - February 4, 2021. Cost to attend any (or all) of the sessions is just $5. The session on Friday will also have in-person watch parties at select K-State Research & Extension locations.

Dates and topics for each Lunch and Learn online session are as follows:

Monday, January 31, 2022, noon to 1 p.m.: Food Safety for Value-Added Food Products

Tuesday, February 1, 2022, noon to 1 p.m.: Sales Tax, Food Packaging, and How to Care for your Certified Scales

Wednesday, February 2, 2022, noon to 1 p.m.: Meat and Poultry, Kansas Value Added Meats Lab

Thursday, February 3, 2022, noon to 1 p.m.: Accepting EBT/SNAP & Double Up Food Bucks

The half-day virtual workshop on Friday, February 4, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will cover topics such as How to Market your Market and Booth, How to Identify Common Legal Risks, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Vegetable Production, From the Land of Kansas program, and resources available from KSRE. Keynote speaker Brian Coppom, Colorado Department of Agriculture, will also be discussing Best Practices for Business Success when it comes to farmers’ markets.

KDA’s weights and measures program will offer free scale certification with a paid registration to an online workshop.