NCDA&CS to help local farmers markets with advertising costs

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services will begin accepting applications March 1 from local farmers markets interested in grants for cooperative advertising assistance. The funding is made possible through a $125,000 grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
“The state operates five farmers markets, but there are more than 200 farmers markets in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This cost-share program will help our smaller markets spread the word about the locally grown products available in their own backyard.”

Funding is available for cooperative advertising projects that promote North Carolina’s farmers markets across the state. The department will pay half of the total cost of advertising, up to $2,500. Farmers markets wishing to apply must meet the following requirements:

Must be located in North Carolina.
More than 50 percent of vendors must be N.C. residents.
Must complete a pre-project and post-project survey.
Must complete a pre-approval form.
Must use the “Got to Be NC Agriculture” and “N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission” logos in any sponsored advertising.
May use any type of media to promote markets except website design.

Funds are limited and will be allocated based on the order applications are received. For more information or to apply, contact NCDA&CS marketing specialist Kevin Hardison at 919-707-3123, or email at kevin.hardison@ncagr.gov.

A Successful Season – 2011: Marketing Your Market

2nd Annual Farmers Market Managers Workshop
Presented by
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Division of Marketing

When: Friday, February 11, 2011, 9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Where: Governor James Martin Building, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
Can’t make this program? We will be offering it in Elizabeth City (March 11) and Monroe (March 18) – Registration will open for these programs in mid-February
Who should attend: Farmers market managers and board members
Cost: $20
Pre-registration is required – Registration Deadline is February 4, 2011

For further info and complete agenda, go to the following link: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/Successful_Season_2011_Agenda.pdf

For more information, contact:
Kevin Hardison, 919.707.3123, Kevin.hardison@ncagr.gov
or Annette Dunlap 919.707.3117, Annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov

Making the Most of Your Farmers Market Business

Date: April 12, 2010
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Location: Enka Campus, Ashville-Buncombe Technical Community College
1459 Sand Hill Rd., Candler, NC

10:00 a.m.. Introductions – Overview

10:15 a.m. Introduction to Farmers’ Markets – Dave Carter, National Bison Association
Background – Reasons for Growth
Understanding the Farmers’ Market Customer

10:45 a.m. ‘Report from the Trenches’ – Jack Pleasant

11:00 a.m. Market Rules and Regulations

11:30 a.m. Are Farmers’ Markets Right For You?

Noon Break – Lunch on Your Own

1:00 p.m. Food Safety Basics
State and Federal Regulations
Best Practices

1:30 p.m. Making the Most of Your Stall
Product Mix/Volume/Velocity
Drawing Customers into your “Store”
Selling your Story
Capitalizing on Additional Opportunities (chefs, on-line, etc.)

2:00 p.m. Product and Promotion

2:30 p.m. Expanding Beyond the Farmers’ Market Stall

3:00 p.m. Discussion – Wrap-Up

3:30 p.m. Adjourn

The workshop will be held at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road in Candler, NC. The cost of participation is only $10 per person, and all participants will receive a complete copy of the curriculum and reference manual. Advance registration is not required, but we would sure appreciate it if you would drop an email to let us know you are coming so that we have plenty of materials on hand (if we run short, everyone who emailed us in advance will be assured of receiving a copy of the reference manual). You can either notify us by responding to this email, or by contacting Jim Matheson at jim@bisoncentral.com.

Farmers' Market Training Event - Fletcher

A Successful Season: A Training Opportunity for Farmers Market Managers & Vendors


Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Time: 9:45 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Virginia Boone Building, WNC Ag Center, Fletcher, NC
Cost: $25, covers food and materials
Registration Deadline: April 13, 2010

Who should attend?:
Vendors and managers of existing community and municipal farmers markets
Growers interested in participation in one or more area farmers markets
Community leaders considering starting a farmers market

What you will learn:

Tips on how to merchandise your stall to sell more product
Tips on providing excellent customer service
Ideas on driving more traffic to your farmers market
Ways to maintain good relationships among vendors and managers
Updates on regulations that affect vendors and managers

To view the complete agenda: Successful Season Agenda
To register: Successful Season Registration


For more information, contact: Annette Dunlap, annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov, 919.733.7887 ext. 257