Series of farmers market info sessions to start April 2

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Extension will co-sponsor a series of informational sessions about farmers markets, covering new health department regulations, increasing customer loyalty through creative marketing, and funding opportunities for vendors.

The sessions are grouped into four parts and will be held at the Indiana Farm Bureau Building, 225 S. East Street, Indianapolis, in assembly halls A and B. Sessions begin on April 2.

Among the presenters are Purdue Extension specialist Jennifer Dennis, who has been a grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Market Promotion Program, and experts from the Indiana State Department of Health. Session dates and times:

* April 2, 9 a.m. to noon.

* April 10, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

* April 18, 9 a.m. to noon.

* April 24, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

A representative from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture will talk about the Specialty Crop Block Grant and other funding resources during the last session.

The series will be especially helpful to organizers of farmers markets and vendors, but it is open to everyone. There is no cost to attend the sessions, and refreshments will be provided in the morning.

Source: Purdue University