Farmers’ Market Events promoted by OPMA

Feb 07, 2024

The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) is offering turn-key, pop-up farmers’ market events to encourage the purchase and consumption of Ontario produce and other local foods through sampling. A team of trained brand ambassadors will engage with the public outside of a select retail banner targeting customers at the point of purchase and directly impacting sales.
This program allows companies to sample and test new or existing products in key markets for a fraction of the cost.

The event will be fun, eye-catching and will provide a greater ROI than an in-store sampling program alone. It is executed by a team of experienced marketing professionals and well-trained brand ambassadors – all food handling certified.

From working with the participating stores and category managers, ensuring the product is in stock before events, and following up with post-visit reports, OPMA can offer a seamless program to members and interested commodity groups looking to maximize their marketing dollars.

Source : The Grower

Video: Summer Crop Scouting MN Farm!

Crop scouting is a vital part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), helping identify pests, optimize input use, and protect yields. Scouts act as the grower’s field observers, offering timely insights.

In this webinar, Liz Gartman, UW–Madison Extension regional crops educator, provides an introduction to crop scouting, covering everything from pre-field preparation to in-field tools, resources, and best practices.

Preparation includes understanding field history, gathering tools, and setting communication expectations. In the field, scouts assess plant health, pest presence, and environmental stress using systematic patterns. Accurate documentation and clear reporting are essential. Tools like soil surveys, weather data, and pest calendars support decision-making. Ultimately, crop scouting builds trust, supports sustainability, and ensures informed, timely responses to field conditions.