A Free "Farmers' Market Forum in the Thumb"
In celebration of the Michigan Farmers Market Association's Birthday
April 6, 2009
By: Julie McCallum,
Senior Staff
A Free Farmers Market Forum April 25, 2009 at Sullivan's Black Forest Brew Haus, Frankenmuth
In celebration of the Michigan Farmers Market Association's (MIFMA)birthday, a free "Farmers' Market Forum in the Thumb" will be held noon to 2:00pm Saturday, April 25 at Sullivan's Black Forest Brew Haus, across from Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth.
One of five such events across Michigan, this special meeting is intended for farmers, vendors, market managers, city government, and local food and market enthusiasts. Guests are to RSVP to Dietrich Bronner at (989) 245-0806 or dbronner@chartermi.net.
The forum will feature a meet and greet, sharing 2009 market plans, round-table discussions, reporting on market trends and news, exploring cooperative efforts, and more.
Guests will meet farmers and market enthusiasts in the area, network with and learn from each other, showcase and sell their products at a "MIFMA Mini-Market," discover shared challenges faced in the area, and identify opportunities for partnering together, all while preparing for an extraordinary farmers market season in 2009.
Shared concerns will be taken back to the MIFMA Board of Directors. Attendees will be able to order snacks or lunch and some top-notch locally crafted brews while learning about and considering joining MIFMA's nearly 200 members.
Region 5 Representative and Chair of the MIFMA Board of Directors, Dietrich Bronner reports "The number one comment MIFMA members make after attending MIFMA-organized events is always - Networking and talking with like-minded folks was such a fantastic experience! When can we do it again??"
This special forum is an opportunity for producers and consumers to experience the benefits and excitement of sharing their passion, concern, goals, problems, and ideas with neighbors who understand, relate to, and perhaps have solved the issues at hand.
Attendance is free by RSVPing to (989) 245-0806 or dbronner@chartermi.net by April 23. Guests are encouraged to invite any others who may be interested, with a larger attendance being more beneficial for everyone. Depending on the group's interest and progress, similar meetings may be held in the future. For more information, visit www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu or contact Dietrich Bronner at (989) 245-0806 or dbronner@chartermi.net.
MIFMA was developed in 2006 to promote and grow farmers markets across the state and increase their visibility to both producers and consumers. This membership-based organization offers information, sharing and resources to farmers markets, farmers and vendors and friends of Michigan food and agriculture. The MIFMA mission is to advance farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products and to place farmers markets at the forefront of the local food movement, working to ensure all residents have access to healthy, locally grown food and that Michigan farmers markets receive policy support. To learn more, please visit www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu or call (517) 432-3381.