Two webinars, Monday, August 25: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, August 28: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., will provide an opportunity for farmers market vendors and farmers market managers to learn about new regulations and reforms that impact farmers markets .  They will  provide input to the Governor-appointed Illinois Farmers Market Task Force about future farmers market regulations.

This year the Illinois General Assembly passed and Governor Quinn signed into law HB5657, Smarter Rules for Farmers Markets, that made a number of reforms to farmers market regulations in Illinois to support consistency, transparency and economic opportunity.  This webinar will provide an overview of the reforms that HB5657 made and what farmers and market managers need to know about the new law.

Additionally, the Illinois Farmers Market Task Force is currently reviewing all regulations for farmers markets in the state and will make recommendations for changes at the end of this year.  Farmers, farmers market managers and others have an opportunity to provide input on farmers market regulations including the following topics: products sold at the farmers market, hand-washing stations, refrigeration, sampling and more.

Both webinars will have the same content and will be held twice to accommodate a larger audience. For those who are unable to attend the webinar, written comments can be submitted Illinois Stewardship Alliance at  or 230 Broadway, Suite 200, Springfield, IL 62701.

To register for the webinar, click here: or call the Sangamon Menard Extension office at .

The webinars are sponsored by , Illinois Farmers Market Association and .

Questions? Call Illinois Stewardship Alliance at  or email .