SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –   Farmers’ markets across Illinois are preparing to make the 2009 season better than ever. In an effort to aid markets across the state, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is offering a series of workshops for market managers and interested vendors.

“We want to make sure the Illinois Department of Agriculture is doing everything possible to encourage and support the hundreds of farmers markets across the state,” Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said. “These workshops give us a chance to explain the increased resources that are available for specialty crop producers and offer networking opportunities for market managers and vendors.”

  Workshop topics will include: rules and regulations, available resources, as well as other farmers’ market issues. There also will be a question and answer time.

The following is a list of dates and locations of the Farmers’ Market Conference:

Springfield
March 31, 2009
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
IDOA Auditorium
Illinois Department of Agriculture
State Fairgrounds
801 East Sangamon Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702

Mt. Vernon
April 7, 2009
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Rolland W. Lewis Building
800 S. 27th St.
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

DeKalb/Seneca
April 9, 2009
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
DeKalb County Farm Bureau
Center for Agriculture
1350 W. Prairie Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178

Admission, which includes lunch, is $20 per person, unless attendees pre-register.  Pre-registration costs $15 per person, and must be submitted at least two working days prior to the event.  Online registration is available by logging onto:  www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/reservations.

Questions about the Farmers’ Market Conference should be directed to IDOA Marketing Representative Delayne Reeves at (217) 524-9129.