Just hired? Just elected? Join us for the 2026 Farmers Market “Boot Camp” to get ready for opening day! We’ll take you behind the Information Booth to learn about core operational requirements, tools, and tips from seasoned market managers. We’ll also help make sense of the alphabet soup of acronyms for licenses, permits, food access programs, and essential infrastructure. Perhaps best of all you’ll connect with other new (and returning) managers and board members from five states who share your passion and unique new job. 

Register Here (via Eventbrite)

🎟️  $25.00* per person for farmers market staff or volunteers that are members of the WSFMA or our State Partners: Idaho FM Association, Oregon FM Association, Ohio FM Network, or Utah FM Network. *Special Deal! Boot Camp registration is a $75.00 value offered for $25.00 this year thanks to a special grant from the USDA FMPP.

🎟️  $75.00 for General Admittance. 

Boot Camp is an online experience (via Zoom). It includes two “General Sessions” and a third session, the “State Day,” that is hosted by each of our State Partners.

🥾  Purpose of Boot Camp

To share essential information, resources, and community connections with new market managers, staff, and volunteers so that they can confidently open their farmers market and have a successful season. Boot Camp is designed for anyone (from any state) who is new to the role of managing a farmers market. 

🥾  General Sessions

Boot Camp’s two General Sessions cover the essential tools and resources on farmers market operations and organizations, specifically on managing Vendors, the Market Site, Shoppers, and your market Community. Each session is designed to foster connections, discuss the whys and hows of market management, as well as sharing our favorite intel on preparing for your new role.

Thursday, March 12, 2026 and
Thursday, March 19, 2026
9:00 am to 12:00 pm (Pacific Time)

General Sessions are not recorded. All materials, presentations, and resources will be available online.

🥾  The “State Day” 

In addition to the two General Sessions, the WSFMA and each of our State Partners host a “State Day.” This session covers the specific partners, programs, and resources for farmers markets in each state. Boot Camp attendees are welcome from any state! If your state is not currently a Boot Camp State Partner, then you are welcome to attend any of the State Days planned.

  • Idaho Farmers Market Association (IFMA): via Zoom. Thursday, March 5 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Mountain Time).
  • Oregon Farmers Markets Association (OFMA): via Zoom. Thursday, March 26 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am (Pacific Time).
  • Ohio Farmers Market Network (OFMN): Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27. The Ohio State Day is offered in-person and virtually in conjunction with OFMN Conference. 
  • Utah Farmers Market Network (UFMN): via Zoom. Thursday, March 26 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Mountain Time).
  • Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA): via Zoom. Thursday, March 26 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Pacific Time).

🥾  Why Come to Boot Camp?

“I really appreciate having the opportunity to take part in this [Boot Camp}. I’m a new board member and have absorbed a lot of background on farmers markets in the last couple of This helps tremendously in filling in the gaps and providing a framework. Thank you so much.”

“To me the best part was getting tips and hearing about experiences from board members! It was really helpful to meet everyone and hear about what has and hasn’t worked in the past and what experienced folks have gathered from their time in managerial roles.”

“It’s so great the community that has been assembled and encouraged to act in support of each The tools assembled, housed and available are amazing! Thank you for all the work you do and energy you bring.”

“This is such a well-organized program with fantastic speakers and resources. I know I’ll be coming back to all the info on the Thank you so much! It was also great to be with so many market people from the west (and Ohio!)”

“I loved it all – it was great that there were multiple types of learning models: breakout, panel, informational, chat questions. It helps me to stay focused on such a long session.”

“The presentation was great. Loved the overview at the beginning for providing context. The panel was particularly informative b/c lots of tangible Also really appreciated getting a chance to chat and compare/contrast FM in breakout rooms.”

“All the resources. I’ve never seen an organization so committed to helping a group.”

🥾 WSFMA Conference

Want more in-depth training and in-person connections? Join us for the annual WSFMA’s Farmers Market Conference held in late February. Location for 2027 is TBD but likely to be in Central WA. To see workshops from 2026, please visit the WSFMA Conference webpage for more information.

🥾 Questions?

Please email info[at]wafarmersmarkets[dot]org or call (206) 706-5198. All messages will be returned promptly.