Social media is a perfect example of a blessing and a curse. Engaging with your online community can strengthen existing connections, while inspiring and educating potential new shoppers. Navigating the comments? That requires a whole different skill set and sometimes a tough skin. There's nothing more fun than conversational volleys with your followers.  But as we all know, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows in the comments section. ?? Join us as we discuss...   • Practical tips on effectively interacting with your audience • Using critical comments as an opportunity to educ ..read more

Whether or not you have a robust social media presence, your website is your markets' home. Whether you're a market manager, a farmer, or a vendor, use your website to tell people the who, where, what and maybe why of your farmers market business. This is a great time of year to take a look at what's there, what should be, and what might be streamlined.    Tune in as we talk about: • Putting the basic info front and center • Landing pages and links • Vendors and sponsors and maps, oh my! • Who updates your website   Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podc ..read more

Survey says: surveys can help you take the pulse of your market! Many of us are winding up our seasons, so why not take some time to listen, gather some data, and look at our markets from a different perspective? Opening a channel for honest feedback can help you improve, understand, and grow your market. No matter what you’re asking, surveys are one more way to communicate with your farmers, vendors, and shoppers. Join us as we chat about:    Who to survey and why  Creative ways to incentivize responses  Different survey methods and what to expect  The value of open ..read more

Ever wonder why farmers markets and small farmers don't have a bigger say in public policy? Us too! This week on Tent Talk, we brought in an expert to help shed light on the big issues that small farmers are facing. We learned a lot and it confirmed that the old addage is true: the squeaky wheen gets the cheese! Join us for this week's episode in which we get schooled by the one and only Kathy Zeman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Farmers Market Association, volunteer treasurer at Cannon Valley Farmers' Market and owner of Simple Harvest Farm Organics in Nerstrand, Minnesota and winner of ..read more

This week's episode is made possible by support from Sarah Delevan Consulting.  ..read more

Unpopular opinion: inspections can actually be great! Of course, as market managers, farmers, and self-employed business owners, we definitely like to make our own rules, but it’s important to remember that inspections provide value in maintaining a market’s integrity and keeping things safe. Tune in while we help you navigate the regulations that keep your farmers market playing by the rules. Let's talk about: Making friends with your inspectors Scheduling farm visits Educating versus policing Prioritizing transparency    Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podca ..read more

Say it together, folks: OUR JOB IS WEIRD! Minnesota Farmers Market Association Director of Engagement and Inclusion Sina Pleggenkuhle chats with us about how widely varied experience qualifies us for all kinds of positions in the farmers market world and adjacent. She’s developed skills on skills on skills, soaking up all the knowledge this business and others have to offer. In her free time, she’s cooking up new, delightful ways to contribute to and learn from her community. Let Sina inspire you to take a page from her book and:   Shine a light on your skills Combine "real jobs" and cre ..read more

It’s the beginning of the end…. end of year planning, that is! Heading into the fourth quarter means the holidays are upon us, folks. Get planning for Halloween costume contests, thanksgiving recipes, special holiday markets and events, and if you’re lucky, latke cook-offs. It also means tackling some less exciting clerical stuff and reports. It's a short episode today while we're tackling holiday event applications, so tune in for Pro tips on:  Making holidays inclusive Surviving holiday markets   Managing boundaries in a busy time    Today’s episode of Tent Talk, t ..read more

This week we celebrate 5 WHOLE YEARS OF TENT TALK! ??? It has been an absolute delight creating this podcast week after week, and it wouldn’t be possible without you, our listeners! Come party with Catt and Brijet as they reminisce over:    Our amazing guests and followers Swoon-worthy accents  Helping markets and vendors world-wide What we’ve gained through all these meaningful connections The future of Tent Talk ?   Today’s episode of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast, is supported by InTents, the only national farmers market conference, coming b ..read more

Has anyone else been feeling exhausted lately? The weather has been all over the place from triple digits to alleged "hurricanes", and that makes scheduling farmers markets hard. It’s been a long, busy season, and the holidays are right around the corner. We know being a grower, vendor, or market manager is not a job for the faint of heart. The danger of burnout is REAL, Y’ALL! Don’t forget to make time for yourself and take a deep breath once in a while. We’ve gathered some tried and true tips from industry pros on how to conserve energy and set boundaries. Tag along as Catt and Brijet discus ..read more