Ellis County Extension

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a regional workshop in Hays on Friday, Jan. 29, to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers. This is the first of four regional workshops which will be hosted by the partners this year.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2015, 56 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.

“While selling food directly to consumers through farmers’ markets provides growers a chance to tell their farm’s story, there are also legal, safety and financial parameters that farmers need to understand before choosing this marketing tool,” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the University of Missouri.
Workshop topics will include:

*  Kansas sales tax requirements
*  Food safety inspection requirements
* Vendor panels on marketing and other best practices
*  Value-added food product safety
*  Accepting non-cash payments (EBT, SFMNP)
*  Planning your production planting for market season

KDA’s Division of Weights and Measures will also offer free scale certification for workshop attendees.
The workshop will be held at KSU Agriculture Research Center, 1232 240th Ave., Hays, Kan. Onsite registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m.

Early bird registration is $20 and closes on Jan. 19. Registration includes lunch. Participants can also register after the early bird registration or on site for $25, however lunch cannot be guaranteed for walk-in registrations.

Registration forms can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMConference or at K-State Research and Extension offices throughout the state. Please return the completed  registration form and payment to: KSU Ellis County Extension Office, c/o Linda Beech, 601 Main, Suite A, Hays, KS 67601.