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 2024, more than 100 farmers' markets were registered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Central Registration of Kansas Farmers' Markets.
Virtual Webinars for Farmers Market Managers:
The From the Land of Kansas program is coordinating a series of webinars specifically for managers of farmers markets. These lunch-and-learn sessions will provide valuable insights, resources, and best practices to help you manage and grow your market successfully. General topics will include marketing, resources for new market managers, as well as networking opportunities.
Each webinar will be from noon to 1 p.m.
- April 1: Whether you are starting a farmers market or are taking over managing a market, this session will provide resources to help you get started.
- April 8: Listen to a panel of seasoned market managers discuss helpful topics such as marketing your market, working with vendors, and more.
- April 15: This webinar will be a space for market managers to network with each other and ask questions.
- This session was not recorded. Below are some of the resources shared during the session.
2025 Local Food Producer Workshops:
Six in-person Local Food Producer Workshops (formerly the farmers' market/direct-to-consumer workshops) were held this February and March. These workshops are a great opportunity to connect with other producers and learn more about how to sell high quality, safe and healthy food to benefit local community. These workshops are co-sponsored by the K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Dates and locations for the Local Food Producer Workshops are as follows:
* Friday, January 31 - Manhattan: Pottorf Hall, Riley County Fairgrounds
* Saturday, Feb. 1 - Wichita: Sedgwick County Extension Education Center
* Friday, Feb. 7 - Olathe: K-State Olathe
- Watch the Recorded Sessions
* Friday, Feb. 21 - Chanute: Neosho County Community College
* Friday, Feb. 28 - Hays: K-State Agricultural Research Center
* Friday, March 28 - Garden City: Southwest Extension & Research Center
The following presentations were shared during the 2024 workshops:
Meat & Poultry Regulations (Recording) - Kansas Department of Agriculture
Kansas Sales Tax (Recording) - Kansas Department of Revenue
Local Grower Panel (Recording) - Recorded at the workshop held in Olathe
Tips on Marketing and Making a Profit Selling Local Food (Recording) - James Leek, Pat and Rachel's Gardens
Food Sales at Farmers' Markets (Recording) - Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety and Lodging
Business Planning, Accounting and Recordkeeping (Recording) - Tom Buller, Kansas Rural Center
Accepting SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) at Farmers' Markets (Recording) - Market Link; Mid-America Regional Council (MARC); Eli O'Sullivan Kurtz, Cultivate KC
Kansas Value Added Foods Lab (PDF) - K-State Research and Extension
Additional Resources
Pet Treats
- Pet Treat Label Handout - What is required on a label? What does the label on your pet food product tell you?
- Pet Treat Label Video
Live Plants
- Live Plants
- Kansas Live Plant Dealer License Handout - What you need to know before landscaping, distributing, or selling plants in Kansas.
- Selling Live Plants in Kansas - Guidance for Farmers' Market Vendors