Ep 365: Past Tents, Future Tents | What We Learned at The InTents Conference
Tent Talk
Kicking off this season of Tent Talk, the farmers market podcast, we're looking back at last month's InTents National Farmers Market Conference. Our theme for this series is Past Tents; Future Tents so today we're recapping what we heard and saw at the tenth annual conference, and thinking about ways we might come back even stronger in 2028. Listen in and join us in the comments while we consider: • The importance of meeting in real life. Zoom fatigue, anyone? • Messages and ideas that really stuck with us. What were your favorites? • Adding additional tracks for new...
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Ep 364: Grow Where You're Planted | Maggie Funkhouser: State of Reunion
Tent Talk
We’re in a farmers market (state association) state of mind. You already know we like all things local and farmers market associations are no exception. This episode of Tent Talk is all about the value of state market associations. Featuring Maggie Funkhouser, Director of the North Carolina Farmers Market Network, we discuss how state specific associations create more resilient markets, better market managers, and stronger food systems. This episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast is supported by Manage My Market.
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Ep 363: Grow Where You're Planted | Amanda Edmonds Is Up To Data
Tent Talk
The future of farmers markets starts with surveys That’s right folks! The National Farmers Market Survey is right around the corner and we’re discussing it in detail on this weeks episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast. Featuring local leader, data enthusiast, and food systems advocate, Amanda Edmonds, we’re digging into everything about one of our industry’s most important and influential surveys. What we’re covering: What the survey is and why it matters Who it helps and the impact it has Important dates and deadlines Necessary info needed to submit...
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Ep 362: Grow Where You’re Planted | Meet, Play, Learn
Tent Talk
Farmers markets are based on human relationships and market manager communities are no exception In this weeks episode of Tent Talk: The Farmers Market Podcast, we’re highlighting opportunities to strengthen your relationships with other farmers market professionals in your region and across the country. From national conferences to local meet ups, we’re covering a range of ways you can engage in-person with the very people whose job is just as weird as yours. What we’re covering: The importance of networking with your peers Local conferences coming up Ways we’ll be...
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Ep 361: Grow Where You're Planted | Apply & Demand
Tent Talk
It’s time to apply our knowledge towards market applications It’s application season at farmers markets across the country! Each year offers a new batch of farmers and entrepreneurs anxious with excitement for the opportunities markets have to offer. But before that 10x10 is popped and in-place, they have to get past one thing: the almighty market application. A critical tool for establishing which markets are right for your business and which businesses are right for your market, applications, when done with intention, help pave a path to long-term market success. Tune in...
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Ep 360: Grow Where You're Planted | Taking Stock
Tent Talk
Welcome to a new season of Tent Talk, the Farmers Market Podcast. The theme for our next 7 episodes is Grow Where You're Planted, and it's all about using your own resources and the others available to you locally and in the wider farmers market community. Here in episode 360, let's start with taking stock. What's in store for your market in coming months, and how can you plan now to make it the most successful market season yet? Listen in as we talk about: Thinking about your core mission Ways to increase income and reduce expenses Creating win-win partnerships...
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359: End of Year Update: Let's Get Growing
Tent Talk
Welcome back to Tent Talk, it's been a minute! Be sure to stay with us until the end for an important announcement. Listen in to hear what's been happening at Farmers Market Pros and the rest of our community, what's coming in the next season of Tent Talk, the farmers market podcast, and new offerings at our Farmers Market Forum platform. Hear about some of the amazing speakers coming to the InTents National Farmers Market Conference in March (the South has something to say!). Do not miss the exciting news revealed near the end of this episode. Don't forget to register now for InTents 2026:...
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Ep 358: Survive and Thrive | SNAP To It!
Tent Talk
Our theme for this season of Tent Talk is Survive and Thrive and boy does it feel relevant now more than ever. Between nearly a million government workers currently on furlough and 40 million people going without access to SNAP benefits, our customers, our farmers, and our communities are staring down the neck of truly dark and difficult times.That’s why we’re reaching into our toolkit and pulling out a word that guided us through the pandemic: PIVOT. It’s time to lean on each other, get creative and resourceful, and mobilize quickly and efficiently to ensure our neighbors remain...
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Ep 357: Survive and Thrive | Harvesting Support
Tent Talk
Every year the last quarter never fails to creep up on us and 2025 is no exception. As we reflect on the year and look ahead at what’s to come, everywhere we turn we’re haunted by budgets. How can we continue to ensure that our market business is turning a profit? How can we create a safety net so in times of stress we’re still financially secure? The answer is simple: sponsors! This week on Tent Talk, we’re calling back to an old, but ever so relevant episode and are revisiting creative ways to harvest support. Tune in as we discuss: The importance of budgeting for your...
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Ep 356: Survive and Thrive | Opening New Doors
Tent Talk
Uncertainty often breeds innovation and periods of economic instability are no exception. Job insecurity can be the tipping point to that pushes makers to think outside the box and embrace the adventure of farmers market entrepreneurship. Suddenly there’s space to turn that recipe into a money making reality. In this episode of our Survive & Thrive series, we’re focusing on an unexpected benefit that markets sometimes see during times of turmoil: an influx of business start ups. As people part ways with corporate America and dip their toes into farmers market life, it’s up to...
info_outlineThis month we’re going to be talking about Building a Bigger Tent and keeping our commitment to making farmers markets a welcoming and opportunity filled place for everyone. We're also getting ready to launch some new ways to share information to make your farmers market more profitable and less stressful for farmers, producers and managers. Don't miss those upcoming announcements. Meanwhile, expect some shorter episodes this summer leading up to our next full season, and the occasional longer one. Dip into the archives anytime: there are currently almost 350 episodes there.
Quick reminder: you have just a few days before registration closes on June 5th for the International Public Markets Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this month. Our own Catt Fields White will be hosting a panel there on market operations. Click the PPS logo on the Resource Page at FarmersMarketPros.com to register.