Market Manager Retreat: 2020
Open to all farmers market managers and representatives, the Farm Fresh Appalachia Market Manager Retreat is a low-cost way to network with your peers in the region, and expand your knowledge on incentive programs, marketing, state regulations, and the resources available to farmers markets.
Agenda, presenter & topic list, and lunch details below!
Retreat Details
April 17, 2020, 9AM–3PM
Bristol Public Library | 701 Goode St. Bristol, VA 24201*
$15 per person, coffee & lunch** included
*The entrance to the J. Henry Kegley Conference Room faces the second level parking lot of the library. Attendees must park and enter here because the main entrance will not open until after the retreat starts.
**Lunch will be catered by Bristol Gardens & Grill. Vegetarian & gluten free options available — please be sure to note these dietary restrictions on your registration form.
2020 Retreat Agenda
This year’s focus is on strengthening markets and empowering market leadership to make informed decisions, enact effective policy, and plan, implement, and monitor strategic marketing and promotion activities. Additionally, market representatives will be invited to give five-minute lightning talks about their markets and programs, and will participate in interactive round-table discussions.
Itinerary
8:45–9:00
Check-In
Coffee & light refreshments provided.
9:00–9:15
Welcome from the Farm Fresh Appalachia Team
9:15–10:30
Data-Driven Promotion: Using Analytics to Guide Your Market’s Outreach
Kayla Tucker, Marketing & Communications Director for the ARCD explores easy-to-implement strategies for gathering data about your vendors, customers, and potential customers, and then using it to guide your marketing and outreach.
10:40–11:45
Farmers Market Spotlights: Lightning Five
We have set this time aside for up to 12 markets to give 5-minute lightning presentations. Share best practices, highlights, and especially struggles. This is an opportunity to learn from one another, share tips and troubles, and get to know everyone.
11:45–12:30
Lunch
12:35–1:35
Round Table Discussion: Incentive Programs at Markets
Many markets use incentive programs to boost market attendance while supporting healthy lifestyles. In this discussion, we will learn about the programs that have been successful in our region, and how you can implement them at your market.
1:45–2:45
Market Regulations Best Practices
For this session, we will break into small groups to create a list of best practices for market rules and regulations. Each group will then share their top priorities of best practices with the group so that we can all learn what matters most to each of you!
2:45–3:00
Closing Remarks
3:00–3:15
AFMA FMPP Marketing Materials Distribution
SNAP and individual market support materials will be distributed at this time. Order forms were emailed in early February — if you have not received the form please contact Rachel (TN Markets) or Lindsey (VA Markets) ASAP.
The Farmers Market Manager Retreat is open to any and all farmers market representatives and managers in the Appalachian Highlands region. However, free marketing materials are only available to markets within the services regions of ARCD or ASD because funding for Farm Fresh Appalachia is provided via a Farmers Market Promotion Program grant from the USDA. The Appalachian Farmers Market Association (AFMA) is a project of ASD. AFMA members are encouraged to attend, but affiliation with AFMA is not a requirement to attend.
If you have questions about the retreat please contact Rachel Wheeler via phone at 423-427-0547 or via email at rachel@arcd.org. Rachel can be reached Monday–Friday 8:00AM–3:00PM.