Farmers Market Vendors, Managers Can Plan For Success With In-Person Training

Jan 14, 2026

By Olivia De Young

Purdue Extension invites farmers market vendors and managers to attend in-person training at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Through four sessions, participants will learn how to:

Understand legal issues of markets
Navigate food safety regulations
Improve market stability and offer food assistance programs
Manage conflict between customers, vendors and the community

“Farmers markets serve as essential hubs that connect local producers with consumers, foster community engagement and promote access to fresh, healthy foods,” said Sarah Hanson, Purdue Extension’s food systems coordinator. “The people managing and selling at these markets work very hard and often need support. This program equips them with knowledge and a network.”

The training sessions will take place from 1-3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesdays from Jan. 27 to Feb. 17 at the Purdue Extension Marion County office, located in Discovery Hall, 1202 E. 38th St., Suite 201, Indianapolis. Registration is $75 and includes a market vendor or market manager manual. More information, including an option to register two people from the same group, is available at https://cvent.me/eWZzLG.

Source : purdue.edu

Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.