Conflict resolution webinar in May!

View this email in your browser

Conflict Happens: Being Proactive
May 10, 12:00-1:00PM
Presented by Rob Burn, L and L Solutions LLC

Join us May 10 for our final Emergency Preparedness webinar, Conflict Happens: Being Proactive.

Explore the side of conflict we most often ignore - ourselves - in this valuable webinar. Conflict happens but we often forget we're part of the conflict situation. Understanding ourselves, our initial reaction to conflict and what drives our behaviors in conflict is the first step in working towards a positive outcome.

This informative online course is accessed via Zoom and registrants only will be given a link to access a recording for future review. Click the button below to register!

Conflict Happens: Being Proactive

Masters series is supported by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Want to see or review our recent Social Media Webinar series? These and many other past presentations can be accessed through ILFMA's YouTube channel!

There's still time to apply for our Metrics for Markets traing program! Learn how to use one of the most valuable tools at your disposal - Metrics. Collecting and using data can help attract customers, vendors and sponsors to your market, and help you plan your season more effectively. This online training program provides all the information you'll need to gather and utilize metrics at your market.

Participants will be matched one-on-one with an experienced market manager to mentor them throughout the program, and will receive a small honorarium upon completion. Information will be shared through virtual meetings and webinars. Time commitment is 5-6 hours over a three month period.

Space is limited, click the button below to apply for this great opportunity and learn how to integrate metrics into your market!

Metrics for Markets training program is produced with the support of Compeer Financial.

Apply for Metrics for Markets

Do you utilize metrics at your market? We need mentors for our Metrics for Markets program - time commitment is 5-6 hours over a three month period, and mentors will receive a stipend for their participation. This is a great opportunity for experienced market managers, click the button below to apply.

Apply to be a Metrics for Markets Mentor

Thanks to everyone who came out for our in person Farmers Market 101 workshops this April! We had a great time getting to know all of you and hope that you found the day interesting, informative and fun. Many thanks to all our presenters too, and to Food Works, The Land Connection, and Twin City Farmers Market for all their hard work and help with organizing everything from the awesome venues to the delicious food!

FM 101 workshops are supported by an Illinois Specialty Crop Grant from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

ILFMA President Transition

Expressing our heartfelt thanks to Natalie Kenny-Marquez, the outgoing president of ILFMA! Natalie served for eight years, and we're so grateful for her leadership, vision, and passion during that time.

We also want to welcome Libby Ervin as she steps into her new role as ILFMA president! As the co-director of Food Works, manager of the southern Illinois Link hub, and co-owner of the value added farm/business Glaciers End, Libby brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role.

Are you a farmer, grower or producer looking to grow your business? The Land Connection is offering a new interactive online course, Grow Your Farm Business to help farms and growers launch a cottage food or value-added enterprise. You'll learn how to increase efficiency, decrease waste, and capture a greater market share.

The course kicks off July 27, and will cover the following topics:

July 27: Local Food Business Basics

August 3: Your Product and Its Market
August 10: Assessing and Mitigating Risk
August 17: Developing Your Marketing Strategy
August 24: Developing Your Sales Plan

Participants will also benefit from of one-on-one access to consultants available to discuss business and financial planning, marketing, cottage food law and more!

Cost is $75 and scholarships are available. Click the button below for more information, or to register and apply for a scholarship

Grow Your Farm Business!

WIC/FMNP Opportunity

Does your market have farmers interested in accepting WIC or Senior Farmers Market coupons? Do they sell in a county where the program operates?

Farmers must sell in a county where the program operates to be eligible (click HERE to see a map of the 32 eligible counties). Eligible farmers who are interested in participating should email Zachary Mabus at zachary.mabus@illinois.gov for more information and to apply for the program.

llinois Agriculture in the Classroom is offering resources to help educate kids about agriculture and farmers markets in Illinois!

IAITC generates resources for teachers to integrate agriculture themes and information about fresh produce that's grown in Illinois, helping to educate our next generation of potential growers, vendors and farmers market customers. Their brand new Farmers Market Ag Mag and Seasonal Farmers Market Posters are available at no cost to market managers and producers. Click HERE to request these fun, colorful resources for your market.

Save the date for the 2024 Everything Local Conference in Springfield, with keynote speaker Rick Bayless!

Application Open for Link Match Grant

Market season is coming, apply for a Link Match Grant for your farmers market! This great program offers a $1 for $1 match for customers using SNAP benefits at farmers markets. Link Up Illinois manages the Link Match Grant and works with markets throughout the state. Click HERE to apply for the program!

Markets must have an active FNS number in order to qualify for a Link Match grant.

Farmers markets are an essential part of our local food system! Join ILFMA and help in our mission to keep Illinois farmers and farmers markets going strong throughout the year. ILFMA members receive discounts for all ILFMA courses and classes and save on Manage My Market fees too.Use the button below to join, and click HERE to find out more about Manage My Market, the online platform that helps make your application process easier and more efficient.

Join ILFMA

Do you have a profile on MarketMaker, and are you registered in the Buy Fresh Buy Local Illinois directory? Register (or update your profile) at il.foodmarketmaker.com so you can take advantage of both of these great marketing tools for farmers and farmers markets.

This group connects farmers market managers across the state of Illinois, allowing them to network, discuss challenges, and most importantly share resources, inspiration, opportunities, and best practices. ILFMA supports working together to create opportunities for cross promotion locally, regionally and statewide!

Click here to request to join on Facebook

Our mission is to support local food and food systems by giving Illinois farmers markets and producers access to resources, education, and connections in order to grow healthier and economically vibrant communities.

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
Illinois Farmers Market Association · 734 Remington Lane · North Aurora, Il 60542 · USA