The annual celebration of National Farmers Market Week highlights the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system.  It’s an opportunity to have fun events, programs, contests, activities, and more - the week helps to boost market attendance and visibility as well as showcase the value markets bring to their communities.

For Market Managers looking for something big or small to do at their markets this year, the Farmers Market Coalition develops an annual toolkit full of facts, ideas, graphics, and more to help you plan and implement a celebration .

The Wisconsin Farmers Market Association would love to see what you’re planning!  Share what you’re doing for National Farmers Market Week, tag us on socials (Facebook and our new Instagram!), and take plenty of photos!  #FarmersMarketWeek  #LoveMyMarket  #NFMW2026

Get the 2026 National Farmers Market Week Toolkit HERE!

The National Farmers Market Survey (NFMS) is live through the end of April!  We need Wisconsin to be represented!

Led by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE), this nationwide survey collects critical information about how farmers markets operate across the United States—covering topics such as management structure, staffing, funding, vendors, and more. The insights gathered will help strengthen resources and support markets; inform sector-wide best practices; and provide data for national, regional, and state-level analysis (where response rates allow).

The USDA has contracted MSUE to lead this project; a similar survey has been conducted roughly every 5 years, at times conducted by USDA itself, and at times through a university partner. Additionally, for this survey, MSUE has brought leaders from the farmers market sector in as key advisors, to ensure that the process and data are reflective of and helpful to the sector.

Farmers market managers across all 50 states and U.S. territories are encouraged to participate. While some market operators will have received a direct link from MSUE (as they have been chosen to be part of a representative survey sample), all other markets can submit their own response via the open link on the webpage.

The survey should take approximately 20–25 minutes to complete. While it was designed so that operating records are not required, having access to your 2025 operational records may make it easier to answer some questions. More details about the survey and a link to take it now are available at www.canr.msu.edu/NFMS.

MARCH'S NEWSLETTER - just forgot to change the month for the post!

CORRECTION in this Newsletter: Friday March 13th is the date for the in-person Farmers Market Manager Workshop at the Food + Farm Exploration Center!

The Wisconsin Farmers Market Association is a membership-based organization, and we have a goal to expand our community!  With increased membership, we can grow our mission more through a wider network of farmers markets and vendors who support helping Wisconsin farmers markets thrive. Read some of the many benefits of becoming a member below!

Grow Your Market (and Your Bottom Line)

WFMA helps markets and vendors thrive through practical tools, proven strategies, and shared success stories from across Wisconsin. Members gain access to resources that support stronger attendance, better vendor retention, and increased sales.

Real Connections, Real Support

Join a statewide network of market managers, farmers, and food entrepreneurs who understand your challenges. From quick questions to big decisions, you’ll have peers you can turn to for advice, templates, and encouragement.

Training That Matters

Members have access to the annual education and other enrichment opportunities, whether it’s conferences, workshops, or regional meetups - covering topics like marketing, SNAP/FoodShare, vendor recruitment, sponsorships, risk management, and community engagement.

Insurance Access (for Farmers Markets and Vendors)

Farmers Market Members and Vendor Members are eligible to participate in WFMA’s group liability insurance program - saving money while simplifying coverage.

Have your Vote Count

Farmers Market Members are voting members of the WFMA, and are invited to our Annual Meeting and any special meetings.  The 2026 Annual Member Meeting is March 20th - so if you’re a farmers market, please be sure to sign up soon!

Advocacy at the State Level

WFMA represents farmers markets in conversations with state agencies and partners, helping protect market interests, expand FoodShare programs, and elevate the role of markets in Wisconsin’s food system.

Promotion & Visibility

WFMA promotes Farmers Market Members and Vendor Members through statewide directories, newsletters, social media, and partner networks - helping shoppers, businesses, and funders find you.

Stay Informed, Stay Ahead

Members receive timely updates on grants, regulations, best practices, and funding opportunities - so you’re never caught off guard.

Shape the Future of Farmers Markets

Members guide WFMA’s priorities through committees, meetings, and leadership opportunities - ensuring the Association reflects real, on-the-ground needs. 

Membership is based on a calendar year, so now is the time to JOIN to get a full year of benefits! 

2026 Annual Fees: Small Market - $35, Large Market - $75, Multiple Markets - $100, Vendor - $25

A Farmers Market Vendors Webinar Series is happening on select Tuesdays from 9am-10am in February and March. Webinars are FREE, but you must register. They will be recorded and available a few days after the webinar for registrants, and will remain online for ten days.

MORE INFO

REGISTER HERE

UPDATE: March 16th's webinar was rescheduled to March 30th!

The Farmers’ Market Manager Short Course will develop your knowledge of farmers market topics specific to Wisconsin. To ensure that markets have access to education across the state, the Wisconsin Farmers Market Association and the University of Wisconsin Extension bring together experts on food safety, regulations, risk management and the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. Registration is week by week so you can attend one, all or any combination of weeks, whatever fits your schedule. The Short Course is presented live only and is not available for replay.

REGISTRATION

Join us for the 2026 Market Managers Workshop!

Are you interested in the chance to enhance your skills and network with fellow farmers market managers?

The workshop will be hosted at the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, WI. You will gain useful insight into best practices for market management and join discussions with others in the farmers market sphere.

Click HERE for more details!

Click HERE for registration and agenda! The workshop is free, but registration is required.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hosted through partnerships with the Central WI Farmers Market Collaborative, Wood County Health Dept, and UW-Madison Division of Extension.

National Farmers Market Week is one month away, happening August 3-9, 2025! Now in its 26th year, this annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. With fun events, programs, contests, activities, and more, the week helps to boost market attendance and visibility as well as showcase the value markets bring to their communities. 

Farmers markets throughout Wisconsin can hold events and have special promotions during the first full week in August.  In addition to promoting their market, farmers market leaders recognize the celebration as an opportunity to connect with their communities, build relationships with local, state, and federal officials, secure sponsorship and grant funding, encourage data collection and research, and more.  

It can be a lot of work to plan a festive week, but the Farmers Market Coalition has developed the National Farmers Market Week Toolkit, a comprehensive resource for market leaders that offers tools, templates, guides, ideas, and more for planning and participating in National Farmers Market Week!

Let the Wisconsin Farmers Market Association know what you are doing during National Farmers Market Week by tagging us on our social media!  Be sure to send folks to our website too to help promote and support the work WFMA is doing in Wisconsin along with our "Find A Market" mapping tool!

Market operators are invited to spend a day developing your farmers market skills and knowledge at one of our Farmers Market Manager Workshops. We have invited speakers to share their expertise and reserved two time slots for round table discussions where our attendees can ask questions and share their knowledge. The Farmers Market Manager Workshop will be held in three different locations around the state with the speakers the same at each. The cost of the workshop is $40 and is non-refundable.  More info here: https://waukesha.extension.wisc.edu/files/2025/01/2025-Farmers-Market-Workshop-Flyer-1-1.pdf

Workshop Locations:

Tuesday, February 25th - Oak Creek

Oak Creek Civic Center
Location Host: Emily Fons
ecfons@wisc.edu

Tuesday, March 4th - Oshkosh

UW-Madison Extension Winnebago County
Location Host: Katie Hassemer
katie.hassemer@wisc.edu

Thursday, March 6th - Madison

UW-Madison Extension Dane County
Location Host: Jenna Phillips
jenna.phillips@wisc.edu

Workshop Agenda*

  8:00 am     Registration

  8:30 am     Introductions 

  8:45 am     Investing in the Markets Future: Legacy Planning for Farmers Markets  Jessica Thompson, Community Engagement Manager, Milwaukee Food Council

  9:45 am     Volunteers: Recruitment, Management and Retention Liz Analla, CVA, Volunteer Services Lead Coordinator, Children’s Wisconsin; Dena Radtke, Jackson Park Farmers Market

10:45 am     Break

11:00 am     Market Manager Round Table Discussion

11:30 am     Lunch (provided)

12:15 am     Nutrition Incentives and Food Access in Wisconsin Kelly Hammond, Healthy Retail Specialist, UW-Madison Extension

1:15 pm     Keeping it Local: On Farm Inspections of Market Vendors Jamie Bugel, Manager, Dane County Farmers Market

  2:15 pm     Break

  2:30 pm     Sorting Out Farmers Market Regulations Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

  3:30 pm     Adjourn

 *Order of speakers may vary based on location. 

National Farmers Market Week is one month away, happening August 4-10, 2024. Now in its 25th year, this annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. With fun events, programs, contests, activities, and more, the week helps to boost market attendance and visibility as well as showcase the value markets bring to their communities. 

Farmers markets throughout Wisconsin can hold events and have special promotions during the first full week in August.  In addition to promoting their market, farmers market leaders recognize the celebration as an opportunity to connect with their communities, build relationships with local, state, and federal officials, secure sponsorship and grant funding, encourage data collection and research, and more.  

It can be a lot of work to plan a festive week, but the Farmers Market Coalition has developed the National Farmers Market Week Toolkit, a comprehensive resource for market leaders that offers tools, templates, guides, ideas, and more for planning and participating in National Farmers Market Week!

Let the Wisconsin Farmers Market Association know what you are doing during National Farmers Market Week by tagging us on our social media!  Be sure to send folks to our website too to help promote and support the work WFMA is doing in Wisconsin along with our "Find A Market" mapping tool!

Running from June 1 - July 31, 2024, the 16th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC), sponsored by American Farmland Trust, showcases the essential markets across the nation making a difference for farmers, ranchers, and communities.

During this time, market shoppers and supporters can vote for their favorite market by visiting markets.farmland.org. In addition to recognizing the top markets in each region of America, the AFMC will crown an overall “People’s Choice” winner as the top-endorsed market in the country.

We believe that every farmers market in America is special in its own way. Big or small, in cities or rural towns, farmers markets nourish their communities while helping local farmers, food makers, and artisans thrive. While the AFMC does rank America’s favorite markets, our intention is to lift up the vital role farmers markets play across the country. The AFMC database and interactive map on markets.farmland.org is the largest and most comprehensive listing of farmers markets in the United States, containing more than 7,000 listings and allowing anyone in America to find local farmers markets wherever they live or visit.

To recognize America’s favorite farmers markets, this year, we are pleased to announce that the total cash prizes are a combined $15,000 and that the top five markets in the United States that finish in the “People’s Choice” category will receive an award. The breakdown of prize money is as follows: $5,000 for first, $2,500 for second, $1,500 for third, $750 for fourth, $250 for fifth, and $100 for 1st in each state. These funds will be awarded to markets to go towards marketing, communications, and other needs that help expand the market’s reach and impact.

Learn tips for running and growing a successful food business from specialists and entrepreneurs! This no-cost series of online trainings is for food entrepreneurs and farm-based food businesses.

The UW-Madison Extension Community Food Systems Program will provide no-cost virtual workshops for small-scale food and farming business start-ups during Mondays in April, from April 1st to April 29th at 2pm CST.

The sessions will cover topics such as:

• food licensing
• food trucks
• cooperative businesses and partnerships
• social media best practices

Registration and more info HERE.