From Kansas Department of Agriculture
MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) will offer seven regional Local Food Producer Workshops to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers, and for those wanting to sell food products directly to consumers.
Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2025, more than 100 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.
“We work to equip Kansas farmers’ markets and ag businesses with the tools they need to succeed,” said Sammy Gleason, KDA’s “From the Land of Kansas” manager. “These workshops will strengthen local businesses by offering current food safety guidance and fresh marketing strategies for direct-to-consumer sales.”
Workshop topics will vary slightly by location. Highlighted topics include: marketing; food safety; regulations on selling meat, eggs and poultry; sales tax for vendors; the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; and SNAP/Double Up Food Bucks.
KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale certification at the workshops for attendees.
Dates and locations for the Local Food Producer Workshops are as follows: Friday, Feb. 6 — Olathe: K-State Olathe; Saturday, Feb. 7 — Hutchinson: Hutchinson Community College; Friday, Feb. 20 — Holton: Jackson County Fairgrounds – NE Heritage Complex; Thursday, Feb. 26 — Dodge City: Ford County Fair Building; Friday, Feb. 27 — Oakley: Buffalo Bill Cultural Center; Friday, March 6 — Parsons: Southeast Research & Extension Center; and Tuesday, March 10 — Beloit: Fort Hays Tech North Central.
Registration for the workshops is now open and is $25 per participant. Registration and more information can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMworkshop, at K-State Research and Extension, ksre-learn.com/food-producer-workshops, or at local extension offices.
For more information, contact Robin Dolby, KDA’s From the Land of Kansasmarketing coordinator, at 785-564-6756 or [email protected]. The workshops are funded by the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, and sponsored by KSRE and KDA.
KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. The Kansas Ag Growth Strategy has identified training for small companies via workshops as a key growth outcome for the specialty crop sector. The Local Food Producer Workshops will provide education through partnerships to help make Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses more successful.
