FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23, 2011

NCDA&CS hosts farmers market managers workshops
in Elizabeth City and Monroe; registration now open

RALEIGH -- The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ popular farmers market manager workshops are returning with one-day sessions in March for Elizabeth City and Monroe.

The workshops, geared toward market managers and their board members, will cover such topics as marketing to your customers, food safety at the market, looking at non-cash payment options at the market and grant-writing basics. In addition, a market manager panel will also share ideas on how to market your farmers market in the off season and retain customer loyalty.

The following workshops will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.:

• March 11 at the Pasquotank Cooperative Extension Building, Elizabeth City
• March 18 at the Union County Agriculture Services Center, Monroe

“These popular workshops reflect the growing community interest in buying locally grown products. As a result, we have seen more and more farmers markets crop up around the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We want to help these markets thrive, and these workshops provide good material and ideas for market managers and leaders.”

Cost for the Elizabeth City workshop is $10, with part of the fee defrayed through a local Farm Bureau grant. The Monroe workshop is $15. The cost covers materials and lunch. Pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is March 4 for the Elizabeth City workshop and March 11 for the Monroe workshop.

For more information, contact Kevin Hardison at (919) 707-3123 or at kevin.hardison@ncagr.gov, or Annette Dunlap at (919) 707-3117 or annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov.

-aea-1,2