Keeping in Touch

Welcome to the Kansas Farmers' Market blog.

2009 is shaping up to be a year of opportunities for the 70+ farmers' markets in Kansas. Locavore has entered the national lexicon and, with budgets tight, everyone is seeking more value for their money.

Farmers' markets offer consumers much more than high quality and nutritious food. We readily dispense smiles, advice and recipes. We share stories and build relationships. Did you know that people have ten times more conversations at farmers' markets than they do at grocery stores? These market interactions, between vendors and shoppers and shoppers and each other, give your products added value.

The Kansas Rural Center is working with our partners to bring you information, workshops and programs to assist your market in building relationships and strategies to weather these tough economic times. Just as markets serve as community gatherings, we hope that KRC's Farmers' Market Project builds community among the diverse markets in Kansas. There will be virtual opportunities to network and grow provided by www.ksfarmersmarkets.com and this blog. And there will be face-to-face gatherings such as the upcoming Kansas Farmers' Market Conference and Market Manager Workshop.

In the coming weeks we'll discuss many projects that might be of interest to you and we encourage you to reach out and let us know in what areas you need support. Blogging is a new adventure for me and for the KRC and we'd appreciate your feedback either through comments on the postings, email or phone calls.

Let's keep in touch!