Farmers' Market Management Network » Education http://fmmn.org Working cooperatively to enhance Ohio farmers’ markets Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:19:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Free Ag Conference Sponsorship for Ohio Women http://fmmn.org/2011/12/04/free-ag-conference-sponsorship-for-ohio-women/ http://fmmn.org/2011/12/04/free-ag-conference-sponsorship-for-ohio-women/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:12:32 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=1421

Women Farm Sponsoring a Registration to 5 Upcoming Farmer Conferences!

Ohio women producing food for local markets, or aspiring to do so, who have not yet had an opportunity to attend a conference listed below are invited to apply for our sponsorship of their fee registration!
An applicant must be a woman who resides in Ohio, is at least 18 years of age at the time of application, is willing to meet up at the conference (briefly or as much as you wish) with the owners of Women Farm, and is willing to be interviewed after the conference by Women Farm for publication on our web site.


Women Farm service partners, women farmers whose essays and interviews have already been invited or published by Women Farm are ineligible to apply.
Conference sponsorship opportunities, the application process and deadlines, and award announcement dates are listed below.
ACRES USA
December 8-10, 2011, Columbus OH
http://www.acresusa.com/events/11conf/about.htm
Apply on or before 5 pm Monday, November 21, 2011
Women farmers with 5+ years experience growing food for local markets are especially urged to apply.
Registration award announced by 5 pm Wednesday, November 23rd
Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association (OPGMA)
January 16-18, 2012, Sandusky OH
http://www.opgma.org/?q=congress
Apply on or before 5 pm Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Women farmers with 3+ years experience growing food for local markets are especially urged to apply.
Registration award announced by 5 pm Friday, December 16th
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA)
February 18-20, 2012, Granville, OH
http://www.oeffa.org/events.php
Apply on or before 5 pm Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Women aspiring to farm and up to 3 years experience growing food for local markets are especially urged to apply.
Registration award announced by 5 pm Friday, January 13th
Ohio State University (OSU) Small Farm Conference
March 9-10, 2012, Wilmington, OH
http://clinton.osu.edu/events/2012-small-farm-conference-and-trade-show
Apply on or before 5 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Women aspiring to farm and up to 2 years experience growing food for local markets are especially urged to apply.
Registration award announced by 5 pm Friday, February 10th
Ohio State University (OSU) Small Farm Conference
March 31, 2012, Massillon, OH
http://clinton.osu.edu/events/2012-small-farm-conference-and-trade-showhttp://clinton.osu.edu/events/2012-small-farm-conference-and-trade-show
Apply on or before 5 pm, Monday, February 27, 2012
Women aspiring to farm and up to 2 years experience growing food for local markets are especially urged to apply.
Registration award announced by 5 pm Wednesday, February 29th
Apply Now!

  1. Go to our survey page. Complete Join Us and/or Log In and take the short survey Represent Ohio Women Farmers. (Skip this step if you have already completed this survey.)
  2. E-mail management@womenfarm.comor send by regular mail to Women Farm, P.O. 954, Worthington, OH 43085-0954 the following information.
    • Full Name
    • Confirm that you are an Ohio resident, 18 years or older
    • Confirm that you are able to arrange for travel, and if required, for food and lodging, if you are awarded a fee sponsorship
    • State the conference or conferences for which you would like to be considered, including specific dates you are able to attend, and confirm that you have never attended the conference(s).
    • Confirm that if you are awarded a fee sponsorship by Women Farm you are willing to meet Women Farm owners at the conference and to be interviewed by Women Farm for publication on its web site
    • State the number of years, if any, that you have grown food for local markets
    • Regarding each conference for which you wish to be considered, write a short paragraph about why you want to attend this conference at this time.

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2011/12/04/free-ag-conference-sponsorship-for-ohio-women/feed/ 0 2011 List of Farmers’ Markets Accepting Ohio Direction Card http://fmmn.org/2011/08/24/2011-list-of-farmers-markets-accepting-ohio-direction-card/ http://fmmn.org/2011/08/24/2011-list-of-farmers-markets-accepting-ohio-direction-card/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:49:26 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=1350 This year the number of farmers’ markets accepting food assistance has grown.  If your market accepts the Ohio Direction Card make this link part of your outreach plan.   The document contains a listing of all Ohio’s participating markets by county.

2011 Farmers Markets accepting the Ohio Direction Card Related Posts: Reporting of SNAP Transactions [...]]]> This year the number of farmers’ markets accepting food assistance has grown.  If your market accepts the Ohio Direction Card make this link part of your outreach plan.   The document contains a listing of all Ohio’s participating markets by county.

2011 Farmers Markets accepting the Ohio Direction Card

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2011/08/24/2011-list-of-farmers-markets-accepting-ohio-direction-card/feed/ 0 Food Safety for the Garden http://fmmn.org/2011/02/08/food-safety-for-the-garden/ http://fmmn.org/2011/02/08/food-safety-for-the-garden/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:24:05 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=1101 Weds Mar 2 Food Safety for the Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory 6- 8 pm Food safety expert Shari Plimpton, Ph.D., Director, Industry Outreach, CIFT, will discuss the fundamentals of proper food handling and good agriculture practices for community gardeners, urban growers and those involved in farmers’ markets. Registration required; space limited. Sponsored by [...]]]> Weds Mar 2 Food Safety for the Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory 6- 8 pm
Food safety expert Shari Plimpton, Ph.D., Director, Industry Outreach, CIFT, will discuss the fundamentals of proper food handling and good agriculture practices for community gardeners, urban growers and those involved in farmers’ markets. Registration required; space limited. Sponsored by Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), Ohio Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Program and the Conservatory’s Growing to Green Program. Free with Conservatory admission. Location: 1771 East Broad St Columbus 43203. Web: http://www.fpconservatory.org  Contact: 614-645-8733.

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2011/02/08/food-safety-for-the-garden/feed/ 0 FMC Newsletter http://fmmn.org/2011/01/11/fmc-newsletter/ http://fmmn.org/2011/01/11/fmc-newsletter/#comments Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:12:18 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=991 The latest edition of the Farmers’ Market Coalition Newsletter offers some interesting reading plus a insurance webinar series.  Read More

In This Issue: A New Year Letter from the Board FMC Announces Insurance Webinar Series to Start January 31 FMC Seeks Resource Librarians Successes to Celebrate in Food Safety Legislation FMC Welcomes Newest Members [...]]]> The latest edition of the Farmers’ Market Coalition Newsletter offers some interesting reading plus a insurance webinar series.  Read More

In This Issue:
A New Year Letter from the Board
FMC Announces Insurance Webinar Series to Start January 31
FMC Seeks Resource Librarians
Successes to Celebrate in Food Safety Legislation
FMC Welcomes Newest Members
FNS Funds Research on Farmers Markets & SNAP
Community Funded Incentive Galvanize Portland Communities
SquareUp: New Smartphone POS Technology
Marketshare Upgrades Offer Improved Impact Evaluation Tools
FMC Welcomes Intern Drew Love

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2011/01/11/fmc-newsletter/feed/ 0 How to Earn a Profit at the Farmers Market http://fmmn.org/2010/10/30/how-to-earn-a-profit-at-the-farmers-market/ http://fmmn.org/2010/10/30/how-to-earn-a-profit-at-the-farmers-market/#comments Sun, 31 Oct 2010 02:01:37 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=849 An informative article packed with tips on selling successfully at the farmers’ market.

How to Earn a Profit at the Farmers Market | eHow.com.

When you are done reading it, check out the related articles in the left column of the eHow site. Related Posts: No Related Posts ]]> An informative article packed with tips on selling successfully at the farmers’ market.

How to Earn a Profit at the Farmers Market | eHow.com.

When you are done reading it, check out the related articles in the left column of the eHow site.

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2010/10/30/how-to-earn-a-profit-at-the-farmers-market/feed/ 0 SNAP EBT Certification Training for your farmers’ market or farm market http://fmmn.org/2010/10/18/snap-ebt-certification-training-for-your-farmers-market-or-farm-market/ http://fmmn.org/2010/10/18/snap-ebt-certification-training-for-your-farmers-market-or-farm-market/#comments Tue, 19 Oct 2010 02:30:35 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=843 You are invited to attend a FREE “Hands-0n” training session to be certified to accept the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) at your farmers market or farm market.  The training will be at the Ohio Department Of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg on November 15, 2010 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm [...]]]> You are invited to attend a FREE “Hands-0n” training session to be certified to accept the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) at your farmers market or farm market.  The training will be at the Ohio Department Of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg on November 15, 2010 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm with registration beginning at 8:30 am.

The training includes an introduction of the program; a walk through the USDA  FNS application line by line; and hear from a panel of farmers market managers that accept EBT.   Upon completion of
the training you will have a completed application in hand, and also be able have any EBT questions answered by OSU South Centers, ODA, ODJFS and the USDA Regional Representative.

See the attached brochure for more information and register by going to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CWVKTRV

Funding to Assist Farmers Markets
In addition to the training, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has established the Farmers Market Access project to fund new infrastructure and outreach enabling markets to accept Electronic Benefit Transfer
(EBT).  $23,000.00 is available for the Grant Program during 2011.  ODA will award grants from these funds to approved markets on a first come first served basis and subject to available funding.
The minimum grant award to be considered will be $500 and the maximum will be $1,000.  You must be approved through FNS to be able to apply for these funds.  That is why we encourage you to attend this workshop to learn about how the EBT card works at farmers markets and learn how to apply for this as well as other food assistance programs.

To learn more about the funding through the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s go to:  http://www.agri.ohio.gov/
Then:  Click on Forms;
Scroll down to Market Grants;
Click on Farmers’ Market Access RFP;
and click on Farmers Market Access Project

We look forward to seeing you…

Christie Welch, Farmers’ Market Specialist
The Business Development Network
at The OSU South Centers
1864 Shyville Rd.
Piketon, OH 45661
welch.183@osu.edu
740-289-3727 Ext. 234
800-860-7232 (Ohio only) Ext. 234
740-289-4591 (Fax)
http://ohiofarmersmarkets.osu.edu

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2010/10/18/snap-ebt-certification-training-for-your-farmers-market-or-farm-market/feed/ 0 New Food Safety Website for Ohioans http://fmmn.org/2010/06/25/new-food-safety-website-for-ohioans/ http://fmmn.org/2010/06/25/new-food-safety-website-for-ohioans/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:50:38 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=783 Thought I would pass this link along as it can be a great resource to help with educating consumers on food safety.  Please check it out http://foodsafety.osu.edu and link to your website if you feel it would assist your consumers.

Thank you,

Christie

Writer: Martha Filipic filipic.3@cfaes.osu.edu 614-292-9833

Source: Janet Buffer, Human Nutrition jbuffer@ehe.osu.edu [...]]]> Thought I would pass this link along as it can be a great resource to help with educating consumers on food safety.  Please check it out http://foodsafety.osu.edu and link to your website if you feel it would assist your consumers.

Thank you,

Christie

Writer:
Martha Filipic
filipic.3@cfaes.osu.edu
614-292-9833

Source:
Janet Buffer, Human Nutrition
jbuffer@ehe.osu.edu
614-247-8388

Lydia Medeiros, Human Nutrition
lmedeiros@ehe.osu.edu
614-292-2699

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohioans now can get the food safety information they need thanks to a new Ohio State University food safety website.

The website, http://foodsafety.osu.edu, offers consumers, health professionals and people who are at high risk of food-borne illness easy-to-understand, “plain talk” information that they can incorporate easily in their day-to-day life, said Lydia Medeiros, food safety specialist with Ohio State University Extension and one of the leaders in developing the site.

“We focused on information that helps people build skills,” said Medeiros, who is also a scientist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and professor of human nutrition in the College of Education and Human Ecology. “Knowledge is good, but having the proper skills is the necessary factor that people need to implement their knowledge.”

The site contains numerous photos to illustrate food safety concepts for consumers in the “Ask Mom” area of the site, Medeiros said, including how to properly wash hands, test meat with a food thermometer, and prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen. The area for health professionals, “Ask the Doc,” provides food safety fact sheets that can be downloaded and shared with patients or clients who have been diagnosed with cancer or HIV/AIDS, who have had an organ transplant, who are pregnant or who have chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to food-borne disease. In the “Ask the Teacher” portion of the site, educators have access to a PowerPoint presentation they can download to teach food safety concepts.

More materials will be added to the site, Medeiros said. “This is a dynamic website that will get deeper and broader as we add information to it,” she said.

In addition, the site offers users a way to ask Ohio State’s food safety professionals questions they can’t find answers to, by e-mailing foodsafety@osu.edu or calling Ohio State’s Food Safety Information Line, housed at the university’s Food Industry Center, at 800-752-2751 (toll-free in Ohio), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The website and food safety e-mail and phone line are made possible by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Integrated Food Safety Initiative; The Kroger Co., which also supports a broader food safety outreach program through its in-store educational campaign; and the Center for Innovative Food Technology, which helps support the Food Safety Information Line.

Christie Welch, Farmers’ Market Specialist
The Business Development Network
at The OSU South Centers
1864 Shyville Rd.
Piketon, OH 45661
welch.183@osu.edu
740-289-3727 Ext. 234
800-860-7232 (Ohio only) Ext. 234
740-289-4591 (Fax)
http://ohiofarmersmarkets.osu.edu

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2010/06/25/new-food-safety-website-for-ohioans/feed/ 0 Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the WIC Fruit & Veg. Program http://fmmn.org/2010/05/07/farmers-market-nutrition-program-and-the-wic-fruit-veg-program/ http://fmmn.org/2010/05/07/farmers-market-nutrition-program-and-the-wic-fruit-veg-program/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 17:17:09 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=720 Hello Ohio farmers market managers and vendors. I have received a number of questions about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the WIC Fruit & Vegetable Program. In an effort to assist you with understanding the 2 programs and who can accept the vouchers, Kadie Donahoe from the Ohio Department of Health has provided [...]]]> Hello Ohio farmers market managers and vendors. I have received a number of questions about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the WIC Fruit & Vegetable Program. In an effort to assist you with understanding the 2 programs and who can accept the vouchers, Kadie Donahoe from the Ohio Department of Health has provided to following information.

If you have questions, please contact Kadie, Robin or me.

Christie
welch.183@osu.edu

Clarification regarding the two programs which are administered by the Ohio Department of Health.

The first program is the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) which was started in Ohio in 1994 and is available in 46 Ohio counties (see attached list). This is the program that provides 5-$3 coupons to participants to be used at authorized farmers. FMNP farmer contracts expired December 31, 2009 so previously-contracted farmers received applications in March. If you know of a farmer who would like an application for the FMNP, they can call me at 614-644-7570 or e-mail me at Kadie.donahoe@odh.ohio.gov and we will send him an application packet.

The second program is the original WIC program. In October, 2009, the WIC program added fruits and vegetables to the WIC food package statewide. Depending on the category of the participant (Pregnant woman, child, etc.) each participant receives a fruit and vegetable voucher (FVV) worth $6 or $10 on a monthly basis. A letter was sent to all FMNP farmers in December and ads were run in newspapers across the state announcing the availability of the program and that applications would be due February 1. If a farmer is interested in this program and missed the application period, he can contact Robin Ridenour at 614-644-8285 or at robin.ridenour@odh.ohio.gov and asked to be put on next year’s application list. They need to do this by December, 2010.

If they are looking at the FVV program, I would strongly encourage farmers to read the requirements closely ( http://www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/final/f3701-42.aspx). Because the voucher is part of the original WIC program, there are requirements such as recording a date of redemption, capturing a participant signature and sending the vouchers into the bank processing firm within 30 days after the last valid date listed on the coupon, just to name a few.

Please let me know if you have any questions. You can either contact Kadie Donahoe Kadie Donahoe Kadie.Donahoe@odh.ohio.gov> by e-mail or call Kadie at 614-644-7570. You can also contact Robin Ridenour at 614-644-8285 or e-mail her at robin.ridenour@odh.ohio.gov regarding the FVV program.

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2010/05/07/farmers-market-nutrition-program-and-the-wic-fruit-veg-program/feed/ 0 ODA Training on Farmers’ Market Regulation http://fmmn.org/2010/04/06/oda-training-on-farmers-market-regulation/ http://fmmn.org/2010/04/06/oda-training-on-farmers-market-regulation/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:44:19 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=686 Attached for your information and use is a joint (ODA and ODH) training announcement which has been sent to all local health departments. The training options will address three separate topics offered at different locations and dates. They include:

1. Farmers’ Markets, Cottage Foods, Home Bakeries and Exemptions for Farm Market Registration;

2. Determining [...]]]> Attached for your information and use is a joint (ODA and ODH) training announcement which has been sent to all local health departments. The training options will address three separate topics offered at different locations and dates. They include:

1. Farmers’ Markets, Cottage Foods, Home Bakeries and Exemptions for Farm Market Registration;

2. Determining Cost Methodology; (for local health departments only)

3. Labeling.

These sessions are being held to help educate local health department personnel in being more consistent and uniform in how they regulate food establishments throughout Ohio.

star See Schedule Announcement for ODA Training pdf_bullet

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]]> http://fmmn.org/2010/04/06/oda-training-on-farmers-market-regulation/feed/ 0 GAP Training Spring 2010 http://fmmn.org/2010/03/26/gap-training/ http://fmmn.org/2010/03/26/gap-training/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:33:42 +0000 admin http://fmmn.org/?p=677 There are still a few opportunities to participate in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training.  Hal Kneen, who presented this information at the Ohio Farmers’ Markets conference in early March will be conducting the training sessions.  Hal does a great job and provides useful information for Ohio growers.  If you are interested in registering and/or [...]]]> There are still a few opportunities to participate in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training.  Hal Kneen, who presented this information at the Ohio Farmers’ Markets conference in early March will be conducting the training sessions.  Hal does a great job and provides useful information for Ohio growers.  If you are interested in registering and/or checking availability of space please contact the appropriate coordinator listed below each training.

Date: March 27, 2010
Time: 10 :30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Title: Produce Safety Begins at the Farm GAPS
Event: The Agricultural Opportunities Conference
Location: Washington State Community College
Colgate Drive, Marietta,
This is part of an all day conference.
Cost $30.00
Contact: 740-376-7431

Date: April 5, 2010
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Title: Produce Safety Begins at the Farm GAPS
Location: Clark County OSU Extension Office
Prime Ohio Corp Park
4400 Gateway Blvd. Suite 104
Springfield, OH
Contact: 937-328-4607

GAP Training in Knox County:
http://knox.osu.edu/events/farmers-market-quality-assurance-training-1

http://knox.osu.edu/events/farmers-market-quality-assurance-training-2

Date:  April 15, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Title: Produce Safety Begins at the Farm GAPS
Location: Montgomery County OSU Extension Office
1001 S. Main St.
Dayton, OH
Contact: 937-224-9654

Rural Action is kickin’ off Sustainable Ag. Week with GAP training at
the Chesterhill Produce Auction site,
8380 Wagoner Rd.
Chesterhill, Ohio 43728
April 19, 1:00
No charge
for questions go to;
www.ohiofoodshed.org and click on events,

email; tomr@ruralaction.org or bob@ruralaction.org,
or call Bob or Tom at 740-767-4938

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