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Purdue Extension will host virtual Farmers Market Certificate program in April

A picture of fresh produce on a table with overlaid text that reads “Farmers Market Certificate” The Farmers Market Certificate educates farmers market vendors and managers on a range of topics to strengthen local food systems. (Purdue Extension image)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Extension will offer the virtual Farmers Market Certificate program over four sessions in April to train market managers and vendors on best practices. 

Farmers markets play a critical role in connecting local producers with consumers, fostering community engagement and promoting access to fresh, healthy foods. The Farmers Market Certificate helps farmers market stakeholders to strengthen local food systems. 

The training is tailored for new and experienced market managers, vendors and community leaders. Participants will receive expert guidance about how to operate successful and sustainable farmers markets. Sessions will cover a range of topics that include the following: 

  • Food safety regulations 
  • Legal considerations 
  • Vendor relations 
  • Customer engagement techniques 
  • Conflict management 
  • Food assistance programs 

“Farmers markets are vital to strengthening local food systems, connecting farmers directly with their communities,” said Sarah Hanson, Purdue Extension food systems coordinator. “This training gives managers and vendors practical tools to build successful markets that support local farmers and their products.” 

The four virtual training sessions will take place on Zoom from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesdays from April 1-22. Registration is $75 and includes a market manager or market vendor manual, which participants will select during registration. Registration and more information can be found at https://bit.ly/fmc2025.  

For questions, please contact Hanson at sspeedy@purdue.edu. If you require special accommodations to attend this event or need an interpreter or translator, please reach out to her by March 25. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 107,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 58,000 at our main campus in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its comprehensive urban expansion, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

Writer: James Wolff, jmwolff@purdue.edu

Media contact: Olivia De Young, odeyoung@purdue.edu

Sources: Sarah Hanson, sspeedy@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu, 765-494-8415

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