Tent Talk

Our guest this week is Hannah Fuller, Communications Associate for the National Farmers Market Coalition. One of Hannah's projects is the popular guest Instagram program where markets from throughout the country take over FMC's account and provide new perspectives. In this episode Hannah explains the nuts and bolts of running an IG takeover and how online collaborations can amplify your farmers ma...

This week's episode of Tent Talk is a live recording from the very last session of InTents: The Farmers Market Conference 2021! Catt, Brjiet and Justine reflect on their favorite conference sessions, answer some questions from attendees, and unpack salient points made over the course of the four day virtual event. Tune for an #InTents2021 conference debrief!

This week we're just doing a quick check-in to remind you that the Farmers Market Pros Team and 437 of their closest friends are hanging out live online right now at InTents, the Farmers Market Conference. We'll be there March 15th through 18th sharing talks from experts and experienced farmers market professionals all week. If you're not already there, it's not too late to join us. Jump over to f...

This week our guest is farmer Matt Sylvester of Happy Acre Farm. Matt and his wife Helena farm on 2.5 acres in Alameda County, about 30 minutes outside of Oakland, California. Before starting his farm and selling his produce at farmers markets, Matt worked as a farmers market manager. But at the end of 2019 Happy Acre Farm transitioned away from farmers markets and now they focus their CSA program...

It's farmers market conference season, Spring is on its way, and it feels like there's a glimmer of light at the end of this long COVID-19 tunnel! But none of that changes the fact that farmers markets aren't going "back to normal" any time soon. On this week's episode of Tent Talk, we discuss how markets are feeling the impact of "pandemic fatigue," why there are currently so many farmers market...

Our guest this week is Sari Kimbell, market manager and CPG expert. Through her education and consulting service, Food Business Success, Sari helps packaged food vendors grow and succeed at farmers markets and beyond. In this episode we talk about steps food makers can take to build a solid foundation for growth, the perks of launching your product at the farmers market, and the importance of seek...

This week we're revisiting our conversation with Dr. Gail Myers, Agri-Cultural Anthropologist and co-founder of Farms to Grow, Inc. In our interview we chat about the inspiration for Farms to Grow Inc., what it takes to run a community farmers market with a mission, and the importance of studying the history of our food systems. Dr. Myers and her team are currently wrapping up post production on a...

It's been a minute since we've had a farmer on Tent Talk, so we were thrilled to be able to speak with JM Fortier, the author of the international best seller The Market Gardener , creator of The Market Gardener's Masterclass, and now publisher! In this episode we geek out about our love for farmers markets and the community they build and JM shares how markets played an integral role in launching...

Value added products aren't just fun for farmers market shoppers, they're extremely beneficial for farmers, ranchers and beekeepers looking reduce waste, increase their bottom line and expand their product offerings throughout the year. Our guest this week is value added expert Ellen Rawley who enlightened us on why value added products can be so helpful for farmers and changed our perception of w...

This week on Tent Talk we're joined by Corrina Smith, Executive Director of the Columbia Farmers Market and President of the Missouri Farmers Market Association. In our interview, Corrina reflects on what her market has been through in the last year and shares what it's like implementing COVID-19 safety protocols in her part of the country. We also discuss what we're looking forward to at this yea...

Bad days happen - even at the farmers market. Sometimes market managers and staff have to face disgruntled shoppers and tense situations. After almost a year of stay at home orders and COVID-19 restrictions, it seems like everyone's feeling a little on edge. On this week's episode of Tent Talk, we share some helpful tips and resources on how to de-escalate conflict at the farmers market. We also d...

This week we're joined by members of the Chicago Farmers Market Collective: Sheree Moratto of the Glenwood Sunday Market and Stephanie Jokich of the South Loop Farmers Market. Their organization brings more than 20 unrelated Chicago area markets together to share best practices and address challenges. In our interview, Sheree and Stephanie tell us how their collective was formed and the magic that...

For this week's episode of Tent Talk we bring you another presentation recored live at InTents: The Farmers Market Conference 2019. In this talk Brent Preston, organic farmer and author of The New Farm: Our Ten Years on the Front Lines of the Good Food Revolution, shines light on the complexity of our food system. Though he doesn't claim to have a quick-fix solution to these large issues, Brent of...

2021 is almost here! It's still unclear how this year will pan out, but we're cautiously optimistic. This week on Tent Talk, we reflect on the past year and share our personal and farmers market resolutions for 2021. We also have a big update about the fifth annual InTents: The Farmers Market Conference. Tune in for our final episode of 2020!

This week on Tent Talk, our guest is Alison Einerson, executive director of Urban Food Connections, who oversees the Downtown Salt Lake City farmers markets. In addition to the trials and tribulations that all of us have faced in 2020, Alison and her organization have survived 2 natural disasters and had to relocate their indoor winter market just a few weeks before opening day! In our conversatio...

With the end-of-year holidays underway, market managers must decide how to adjust market schedules to accommodate their vendors and shoppers. Do you close your market if it lands on a major holiday? Or do you shift the hours or size of the market footprint? Or do you operate business as usual? It all depends on your vendors and shoppers! Today on Tent Talk we discuss what goes into making the call...

It's rare for us to focus an episode of Tent Talk on anything other than farms or food, but 'tis the season to be crafty! This week we chat about the benefits of bringing non-food artisans into your farmers market mix, especially during the holiday season. Listen along for tips on how to curate your crafters, adjust market booth fees for non-food vendors, and how to integrate them into your farmer...

Now that it feels like midnight when it's actually only 4:30 pm, outdoor farmers markets have to adjust to the cold and dark that winter brings. This week on Tent Talk, co-hosts Catt, Brijet and Justine share some tips on how to keep your winter outdoor market bright and cozy for shoppers and vendors. We also discuss shifting holiday marketing strategies due to COVID and how to get shoppers out to...

This week on Tent Talk we're sharing a presentation by Sarah Marshall of Marshall's Haute Sauce, recorded live at InTents, the Farmers Market Conference in 2019. Sarah shares helpful techniques to care for yourself, your team and fellow market participants while you nurture your business. In this unusual holiday season in an unusually stressful year, these thoughts are more important than ever. Re...

We love when our friend Maya Madsen, Vendor-101 grad and founder of Maya's Cookies, drops in to talk with us! Earlier this year, Maya had to pivot (like the rest of us) to stay afloat when COVID put a damper on farmers market operations. Then, in early June after her online store was included in a viral post highlighting Black-owned businesses, she had to hustle to fill thousands of unexpected ord...

Our guest this week is Cara Mae Wooledge of the Napa Farmers Market. Before taking on her current role as farmers market manager, Cara Mae had a career in public health with a specialty in infections disease, so the events of this year have given her the opportunity to apply many of her skill sets! In this episode we talk about how her market has adjusted to COVID-19 and what farmers market manage...

This week on Tent Talk, we talk a little about where farmers markets are now, and what's next. We don't dare make any predictions about what 2021 may bring, but we can make tentative plans and prepare for the best and worst. We also share some exciting news about our annual event. Registration for InTents: The Farmers Market Conference 2021 is live! Reserve your ticket today at farmersmarketpros.c...

As the weather begins to cool, many farmers markets across the country are transitioning into their winter season. However, COVID-19 is still a present danger and poses numerous challenges to planning indoor markets and events. This week on Tent Talk we speak with Shawn Menard of Seacoast Eat Local in New Hampshire about overcoming some of these challenges. Shawn provides helpful advice on how to...

This week our guest is Tent Talk co-host Justine's business and life partner Dave Mead! We talk with Dave about how his life as a musician led him to launch his farmers market business Baby Clydesdale Small Batch Hot Sauce. Dave also shares helpful insight into successful branding, attractive packaging, and honing his sales skills.

On this episode of Tent Talk we reveal some preliminary details of the fifth annual InTents: The Farmers Market Conference! Save the date for our live, online event February 15-18, 2021! We also answer some questions from our Farmers Market Pros Community about touchless shopping, vendors who've tested positive for COVID, and holding on to applications and market documents. Join us for an info-pac...