Submitted story | January 20, 2026

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) will offer seven regional Local Food Producer Workshops to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers, and for those wanting to sell food products directly to consumers.

Kansas farmers’ markets not only provide a fresh food source, but also stimulate the local economy. In 2025, more than 100 farmers’ markets were registered with KDA’s Central Registration of Farmers’ Markets.

“We work to equip Kansas farmers’ markets and ag businesses with the tools they need to succeed,” said Sammy Gleason, KDA’s From the Land of Kansas manager. “These workshops will strengthen local businesses by offering current food safety guidance and fresh marketing strategies for direct-to-consumer sales.”

Workshop topics will vary slightly by location. Highlighted topics include:

• Marketing
• Food safety
• Regulations on selling meat, eggs and poultry
• Sales tax for vendors
• Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
• SNAP/Double Up Food Bucks

KDA’s weights and measures program will also offer free scale certification at the workshops for attendees.

Dates and locations for the Local Food Producer Workshops are as follows:

Friday, February 6 — Olathe: K-State Olathe
Saturday, February 7 — Hutchinson: Hutchinson Community College
Friday, February 20 — Holton: Jackson County Fairgrounds – NE Heritage Complex
Thursday, February 26 — Dodge City: Ford County Fair Building
Friday, February 27 — Oakley: Buffalo Bill Cultural Center
Friday, March 6 — Parsons: Southeast Research & Extension Center
Tuesday, March 10 — Beloit: Fort Hays Tech North Central

Registration for the workshops is now open and is $25 per participant. Registration and more information can be found at FromtheLandofKansas.com/FMworkshop, at K-State Research and Extension, ksre-learn.com/food-producer-workshops, or at local extension offices.

For more information, contact Robin Dolby, KDA’s From the Land of Kansas marketing coordinator, at 785-564-6756 or fromthelandofkansas@ks.gov. The workshops are funded by the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, and sponsored by KSRE and KDA.