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Michigan Farmers' Market Association Kicks Off by Welcoming Charter Members

May 2 , 2007 : On Friday, April 20, 2007, the Michigan Farmers’ Market Association (MIFMA) celebrated its Membership Kick-Off and hosted a Market-Style Resource Fair in East Lansing, Mich. with more than 100 farmers’ market managers, farmers, vendors and friends.

This membership kick-off has been months in the making from the organization’s inception in the summer of 2006 to the April 20 event. MIFMA was developed nearly a year ago and has grown in leaps and bounds through hard work, great ideas and partnerships throughout the state. Project for Public Spaces, an organization supporting farmers’ markets, parks and other gathering places granted Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), money to develop MIFMA, a state-wide association to promote local food consumption in Michigan by connecting more farmers to consumers through farmers’ markets.

Keynote speakers Jim Farr, President of the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York, and Diane Eggert, Executive Director of the Federation, began the day by addressing why a statewide association for farmers’ markets makes sense and how it can provide great benefits, services and resources to its members. Based on their experience working with the Federation, Jim and Diane offered words of wisdom and examples from the state of New York. The work they have done and accomplishments they have made set the tone for what MIFMA can and will do for members.

Other farmers and market managers, including Dan Keane, who is a member of the MIFMA project leadership team, spoke to why a statewide association for farmers’ markets makes sense in Michigan from their experiences at markets around the state. Elaine Brown, Executive Director of MIFFS, and Dru Montri, MIFMA Project Manager, presented the organizational structure, governance, membership and member benefits of the newly developed Michigan Farmers’ Market Association.

Some of the benefits of being a member include: reduced rates at MIFMA-sponsored workshops and events; a 10% discount on purchases made at Eat Local Food, a merchandising and art design company focused on farmers’ markets; reduced rates on Rapid Market Assessments and market evaluation services; and a great network of resources and collaboration with MIFMA members. Members will also be highlighted on the online farmers’ market directory on the MIFMA web site at www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.

Many more benefits for MIFMA members are in the works. The leadership team is currently pursuing discounts and reduced insurance for farmers and markets along with developing seminars, electronic benefit transfer training for low-income areas and policy support for members.

Attendees spent the afternoon visiting with exhibitors and gathering resources to help kick-off their own market season, picking up useful information and networking with people from other markets. Exhibitors included MIFFS, the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, Food Bank Council of Michigan, Eat Local Food, Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance, Michigan Department of Community Health, WIC and Senior Project FRESH, Michigan Department of Human Services, United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, ACS Governmental Solutions, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Select Michigan, and the Michigan Food Policy Council. MIFMA will continue to serve farmers’ markets in the state by making useful information available and providing networking opportunities to farmers’ markets stakeholders.

On the day of the event, MIFMA welcomed 23 new charter members including six farmers’ markets, six farmers and 11 individual members. A list of all new MIFMA charter members is available on www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.

“I was delighted to see how many respondents put their priority on markets working together toward common goals as the most important part of MIFMA. I think this should help us focus strongly on work that really does bring together markets, help them clarify and set common goals, and also focus on enhanced communication,” said Susan Smalley, who has done a multitude of work with Michigan farmers’ markets through the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Agriculture at MSU.

For more information about the event, the resources provided, or becoming a charter member of MIFMA, please visit www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu or contact Dru Montri at (517) 432-3381 or dnmontri@msu.edu.