By Scout Nelson
The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension are offering a Local Food Producer Workshop Series to support individuals who sell food products directly to consumers. These workshops aim to improve business skills, promote food safety, and strengthen local food markets across the state.
Kansas farmers’ markets play an important role in providing fresh food and supporting the state economy. In 2025, more than 100 farmers’ markets were registered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The new workshop series is designed to provide useful education and guidance for market vendors and managers.
“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 may vary by location but will include marketing strategies, food safety standards, sales tax guidance, and rules for selling meat, eggs, and poultry. Participants will also learn about programs such as the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and SNAP Double Up Food Bucks. KDA’s weights and measures program will provide free scale certification at each workshop.
The Local Food Producer Workshops will take place at the following locations:
- Friday, February 6 — Olathe: K-State Olathe
- Saturday, February 7 — Hutchinson: Hutchinson Community College
- Friday, February 20 — Holton: Jackson County Fairgrounds – NE Heritage Complex
- Thursday, February 26 — Dodge City: Ford County Fair Building
- Friday, February 27 — Oakley: Buffalo Bill Cultural Center
- Friday, March 6 — Parsons: Southeast Research & Extension Center
- Tuesday, March 10 — Beloit: Fort Hays Tech North Central
Registration costs $25 per participant. More details and registration are available at:
The workshops are supported by agriculture development programs and state partners. They also support the Kansas Ag Growth Strategy, which promotes training opportunities for small businesses in the specialty crop sector. Through education partnerships, the workshops will help improve local food businesses, support community markets, and encourage economic growth across Kansas.
For more information, contact Robin Dolby, KDA’s From the Land of Kansas marketing coordinator, at 785-564-6756 or fromthelandofkansas@ks.gov. 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.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: Kansas, Business, Government & Policy, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Poultry