Sampling Requirements Clarified

There seems to be a lot of confusion over the new sampling requirements. Let me see if I can clear things up.
If the producer is going to offer samples of a value-added product or something cooked they need to read the chapter in the new manual and take a simple test on the official form and return it to me. Since the test is open book, you must get 100% right to qualify. Manuals will be sent to markets when they turn back in their registration for 2008. The person cannot be "certified" until the market is registered anyway and this gives markets an added incentive to update their registration in a timely manner.
If the producer will be offering samples of RAW AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS such as tomatoes, melons, etc. the producer needs to also complete GAP training. You either got this at the last FM summit or you can get it at the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference. Also, many local Extension agents are trainers as well.
All of the verification of trainings must come to me at KDA and all certificates will be issued at KDA.
I think we have made this as simple for producers as possible. One key to this is making sure your market returns the market registration form that you will receive in mid-January as soon as possible. This means you will have to determine your opening day, market days, hours and locations ASAP.
There will be a "class" of sorts at the KFMA annual meeting. Those folks will receive their certificates as soon as their markets register. This will also serve as a test run for the test itself so some changes may be made after this first "class." To make sure I am clear – after this initial "class" folks will be able to read the chapter and take the test at their leisure, but must receive their certificate prior to any sampling.

What Tricks did You learn in Response to the Drought?

Everyone suffered one way or the other from the drought. Did you figure out a unique way to conserve or move water to crops? Send a few lines about your successes and failures and we'll share them here.

Getting the News Out

All members of the KFMA should have received their first newsletter by now. It is packed with updates on many issues. The KFMA sent a complimentary copy to all markets even if they aren't members with some info about the KFMA. I hope this spurs some folks to join up! This is an organization for everyone involved with farmers' markets and I hope everyone gets involved at least by commenting on some on the topics on this blog.

The New Farmers Market Manual is Days Away

The new Kentucky Farmers' Market Manual has been finalized and sent to the printers. As soon as I get the revised chapters returned to me then I can post it on the KDA website. This is a very exciting time for Kentucky farmers' markets and the manual helps producers sort through all the new information. I received a request this morning from Kansas to use some of the pictures from the manual. Florida requested a copy of the manual as well and want to replicate it.
Markets will receive copies after the first of the year when their registration forms are sent out.

Sampling Has Come to Ky Farmers Markets

I am very excited about our new sampling agreement with the Department for Public Health. Sampling is so much a part of what we do at farmers' markets. The Kentucky Farmers' Market Association posted both the health department guidance and the chapter on sampling requirements from the new farmers' market manual that will be published January 1 on their Web site www.kentuckyfarmersmarket.org. Go there and take a look and let's discuss yoru thoughts.