Annual Forum

Utah Farmers Market Network Annual Forum

Each year, the Utah Farmers Market Network hosts its Annual Forum to unite market managers and owners, food leaders, and community advocates from all corners of the state. This event fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community building, creating an opportunity for stakeholders to connect and engage in meaningful discussions. Through expert-led presentations, interactive breakout sessions, and ample networking opportunities, participants gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to enhance farmers markets and support local food systems across Utah.

Presented by:

UFMN 2025 Forum Agenda*

*Subject to change

9am - 9:30am: Sign in; coffee and light refreshments

9:30am - 10am: Impacts of Utah’s Farmers Markets | Jaclyn Pace | Utah Farmers Market Network

10am - 10:20am: Session #1- Produce Incentive Programs at Farmers Markets: Best Practices and FAQs | Hannah Goggin | Utah Department of Health and Human Services

10:20am - 10:40am: Session #2 - Growing Your Business 101 | Bryce Hansen | Salt Lake Small Business Development Center

10:40am - 11am: Session #3 - Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: A Guide for Farmers Market Managers | Caroline Hargraves | Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

11am - 11:20am: Session #4 - Getting Involved in Farm to School | Natalie McHale & Danielle Perez | Utah Farm to Fork/Utah State Board of Education - Child Nutrition Programs

11:20am - 11:40am: Session #5 - Lets Get Digital: Increase Your Market Management Capacity and Build Organizational Resilience with MarketWurks Market Management Software | Christopher Quinlan | MarketWurks

11:40am - 12pm: Session #6 - Break Out with Presenters from Sessions #1-5

12pm-1pm: Lunch & Networking

1pm - 1:20pm: Session #7 - Farmer’s Markets and Food Security with Create Better Health | Lea Palmer | Create Better Health (Utah SNAP-Ed)

1:20pm - 1:40pm: Session #8 - Harvesting Wisdom Panel: Insights from Seasoned Farmers Market Managers

Nichole Matthews | Downtown Farmers Market Salt Lake City
Denise Christiansen | Good 4 Life Markets
Adelaide Corey-Disch | Utah Farm Bureau Markets

1:40pm -2pm: Session #9 - Wisdom Circle

2pm - 2:10pm: Break

2:10pm - 2:30pm: Session #10 - Selam Dickerson | New Roots Farm/International Rescue Committee | Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office Human Rights Commission Award Recipient

2:30pm - 2:50pm: Session #11 - Legislative Work on the Hill | Symbria & Sarah Patterson | Red Acre Center & Farm CSA

2:50pm - 3:10pm: Session #12 - Successful Business Session | Denise Christiansen | Good 4 Life Markets | Mountain West Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year

3:10pm - 3:30pm: Session #13 - Succession Planning 101 | Chase Murdock | Durable

3:30pm - 3:50pm: Session #14 - Ways to Fund and Grow Your Markets | Tim Cooley | Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity/Startup State Initiative

3:50pm - 4:10pm: Session #15 - Organizations to Know Panel

Utahns Against Hunger | Gina Cornia
Slow Food | Natalie McHale
Utah’s Own | Emily Ashby
Utah Food Bank | Heidi Cannela

4:10pm - 4:30pm: Session #16 - Break Out with Presenters from Sessions #7-15

4:30pm - 5:00pm: Closing & Surveys