Des Moines – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced today that the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will be holding its 10th Annual Iowa Farmers Market Workshop on Saturday, February 23, in Des Moines.

“There is a growing interest statewide and nationally in locally grown food and products,” Northey said.  “We continue to see increased participation in Iowa’s farmers markets across the state as more Iowans become interested in supporting local farmers and the Iowa economy.”

Annually, sales at farmers’ markets result in an estimated $31.5 million dollar impact on Iowa’s economy.

Iowa continues to be a leader in establishing farmers markets and has experienced a sixty percent increase in the number of markets across the state over the past ten years, last season there were over 174 farmers markets operated in Iowa.  More than 135,000 Iowans shop regularly at their local markets.  

Details are as follows:

Who: Market Managers
Market Vendors
Anyone involved with farmers markets

Where: Henry A. Wallace Building
502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines

When: Saturday, February 23, 2008 – 9:00 am-4:00 pm

What: Topics include: Resources for Market Funds and Grants; Food Safety; Enhancing Sales; Trends for 2008; and, “Does Not Play Well With Others”

Registration: Cost is $30/person until Feb. 15, $40/person after
Click here to download a registration form

How: For more information about the event please contact Barbara Lovitt with the Iowa Department of Agriculture at 515-281-8232 or Barbara.Lovitt@iowaAgriculture.gov

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