2014 Training Workshops Report  – We Grew!

The theme for this year’s workshops was “Grow Yourself! Grow Your market!  Grown your Business”.    Based on the many evaluations we received, we definitely hit that mark  – We Grew!  Dale Hazlewood, the Coordinator for the Aurora Workshop said it best:  “Everyone who attended the workshop grew, not only in knowledge, but by cultivating new connections and raising the bar so Illinois Farmers Markets and businesses have the resources to flourish and thrive in the coming season. ”  Check out more of Dale’s article “We Grew”  below.

We wish to thank all of the Speakers and Attendees of the four Regional Workshops held in February and March!  All of the workshops were very well attended and responses have been great.   We also thank the following individuals who helped facilitate these workshops, without them they would not have been possible:

• Roxanne Junge’,  IFMA Board Members, 2014 Conference Chair,  Glenview Farmers Market Manager , Vice Chair, Illinois Farmers Market Task Force
• Dale Hazlewood, City of Aurora Special Event Coordinator &Aurora’s Farmers Market Manager  – Aurora Workshop
• Grant McCarty, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator . University of Illinois Extension  – Rockford Workshop
• Laurie George, Extension Educator – Small Farms/Local Food Systems, University of Illinois Extension – Mt Vernon Workshop
• Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant,  IFMA Secretary, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator , University of Illinois Extension – Springfield Workshop

Here are the links to the Aurora, Rockford and Mt Vernon Workshop Presentations: 

DHS-SNAP-EBT-ONLY-OPTION-ANGIE-KUEHL     EGG INSPECTION KY Wagenecht     Generic Grant proposal for CRA funds   MARKETLINK MT VERNON CHERYL METHANY   IL DEPT OF AGRICULTURE KENDRA SCHILLING     FM Task force ppt   2014 EBT Presentation Springfield Workshop FINAL Revised    MARKETLINK SUE COURI      Marketing and Outreach Programs Natalie Kenny Marquez (1)

WOODSTOCK FM Setting the Table for Collaboration     DEVELOPING Sponsorship PLAN AURORA Karen Blair      Aurora Workshop Bobette Wolf Harvesting Success

WIC AND SENIOR BENEFITS      IFMA BENEFITS              EBT FUNDING OPTIONS ROXANNE JUNGE                  HOW TO APPLY FOR SNAP FOR YOUR MARKET

Here is the weblink to the Springfield Workshop – University of Illinois Extension website     

 

WE GREW!   By Dale A. Hazlewood

AURORA, IL – Even though the ground was covered in snow and ice  “We Grew.”  Farmers Market managers, vendors, organization leaders and supporters from all across Illinois gathered in historic downtown Aurora, Illinois on February 20, 2014 for the Illinois Farmers Market Association’s Chicagoland Farmers Market Workshop.  Sponsored by Chicago & Beyond Regional Tourism Office it was a full day of educational sessions, networking opportunities, local food sampling, idea sharing and for some, a little side trip to the Premium Outlet Mall.  The City of Aurora, home of Illinois’ oldest Farmers Market, welcomed all in attendance and showcased the many unique aspects of the city. 

The day started with a large selection of organic fresh baked muffins, croissants, fresh roasted coffee and specially blended teas, all vendors at Aurora’s Farmers Market.  An energizing keynote was presented by IFMA Board Member Roxanne Junge, followed by a choice of three educational tracks for Managers, Vendors and Market Basics.  The hour-long sessions covered topics such as Marketing, Sponsorship and Electronic Benefits.  Next came a long break with plenty of time for networking, a locally sourced organic boxed lunch (featuring all compostable containers and tableware), Roundtable discussions and a Winter Market.  The Winter Market featured a select group of Aurora’s Farmers Market vendors along with international guitarist Dave Byron.  The workshop pace did not slow down as two more sets of education tracks followed in the afternoon covering more topics and ideas to help make Farmers Markets in Illinois some of the best in the nation. 

The day did not end there though, an After-Workshop Networking opportunity followed at Aurora’s own Two Brothers Roundhouse.  The staff graciously hosted an energized group of workshop attendees with special locally sourced small plates and their award winning craft brews. For several hours, ideas continued to be shared in the relaxed atmosphere, new relationships sprouted and the benefits of the being a member of the Illinois Farmers Market Association became more apparent than ever. 

 Everyone who attended the workshop grew, not only in knowledge, but by cultivating new connections and raising the bar so Illinois Farmers Markets and businesses have the resources to flourish and thrive in the coming season. – 4/3/2014

 Dale A. Hazlewood, City of Aurora, Special Event Coordinator &Aurora’s Farmers Market Manager, DIRECT: , OFFICE: ,

 CALL FOR 2015 SPEAKERS: 

 We are going to begin our planning for the 2015 Statewide Conference in Springfield and other regional workshops in the next few weeks.  Please let us know if you would like to be part of the Planning Committee.  We are also looking for Farmers Market professionals for our 2015 Educational offerings.  If you have experience in marketing, sponsorship, technology, market management and other Farmers Market specialties, and would be interested in being part of a workshop or conference, please forward your contact information along with a brief summary of sessions and topics along with any particulars to:

Pat Stieren, Executive Director – Illinois Farmers Market Association – – .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WE GREW!

 

 

 

By Dale A. Hazlewood

 AURORA, IL – Even though the ground was covered in snow and ice  “We Grew.”  Farmers Market managers, vendors, organization leaders and supporters from all across Illinois gathered in historic downtown Aurora, Illinois on February 20, 2014 for the Illinois Farmers Market Association’s Chicagoland Farmers Market Workshop.  Sponsored by Chicago & Beyond Regional Tourism Office it was a full day of educational sessions, networking opportunities, local food sampling, idea sharing and for some, a little side trip to the Premium Outlet Mall.  The City of Aurora, home of Illinois’ oldest Farmers Market, welcomed all in attendance and showcased the many unique aspects of the city. 

 The day started with a large selection of organic fresh baked muffins, croissants, fresh roasted coffee and specially blended teas, all vendors at Aurora’s Farmers Market.  An energizing keynote was presented by IFMA Board Member Roxanne Junge, followed by a choice of three educational tracks for Managers, Vendors and Market Basics.  The hour-long sessions covered topics such as Marketing, Sponsorship and Electronic Benefits.  Next came a long break with plenty of time for networking, a locally sourced organic boxed lunch (featuring all compostable containers and tableware), Roundtable discussions and a Winter Market.  The Winter Market featured a select group of Aurora’s Farmers Market vendors along with international guitarist Dave Byron.  The workshop pace did not slow down as two more sets of education tracks followed in the afternoon covering more topics and ideas to help make Farmers Markets in Illinois some of the best in the nation. 

The day did not end there though, an After-Workshop Networking opportunity followed at Aurora’s own Two Brothers Roundhouse.  The staff graciously hosted an energized group of workshop attendees with special locally sourced small plates and their award winning craft brews. For several hours, ideas continued to be shared in the relaxed atmosphere, new relationships sprouted and the benefits of the being a member of the Illinois Farmers Market Association became more apparent than ever. 

 Everyone who attended the workshop grew, not only in knowledge, but by cultivating new connections and raising the bar so Illinois Farmers Markets and businesses have the resources to flourish and thrive in the coming season. – 4/3/2014

 Dale A. Hazlewood, City of Aurora, Special Event Coordinator, Aurora’s Farmers Market Manager

DIRECT: , OFFICE: , 

   

 CALL FOR 2015 SPEAKERS: 

We are looking for Farmers Market professionals for our 2015 Educational offerings.  If you have experience in marketing, sponsorship, technology, market management and other Farmers Market specialties, and would be interested in being part of a workshop or conference, please forward your contact information along with a brief summary of sessions and topics along with any particulars to: Pat Stieren, Executive Director – Illinois Farmers Market Association – – .