Find partners
Biz & Tech Podcasts — Collaboration Platform
Menu
Submit Podcast
Tent Talk

Tent Talk

Hosted by Farmers Market Pros

BusinessArtsFoodInterviews guestsExplicit
WebsiteRSS feedFacebookInstagramYouTube

Episodes

376

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Tent Talk is a podcast for farmers' market managers, farmers, food makers, and anyone who counts on farmers' markets as a source of income. Please join us as we interview farmers' market experts, talk about ways to improve local food communities, and provide you with tips on building a successful farmers' market business. Tent Talk is produced by Farmers Market Pros.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 10, 202653 min

Ep 373: Telling Our Stories | The Tale's In The Mail

We're talking this season about Telling Our Stories and if there's one place that farmers markets and participants really can control the narrative it's in our email newsletters. These weekly updates remind folks to come to market, update them on special events, new products and what's in season and keep them coming back. Listen in this week as we discuss the ways to make your newsletters most effective and take the dread out of that weekly deadline:  Prioritizing the 2 C's: Consistency and Content Keeping your newsletter fresh and relevant Using the most effective timing for calls to action Including farmers and vendors in your newsletter stories Including the vital info: your farmers market's day, time and location

August 3, 20261 hr 11 min

Ep 372: Telling Our Stories | Managing Your Media with Justine Marzoni-Mead

Between National Farmers Market Week happening now and the hazards of eating lettuce, farmers markets are a hot topic and the media has come calling. It's exciting that they want to share our perspectives on things. Still, is all press good press? How do you know who's looking for an authentic story and who's angling for clickbait? In today's episode we welcome Justine Marzoni-Mead, one of our original Tent Talk co-hosts, back to the podcast. Justine's career path lead from market hot sauce vendor to Farmers Market Pro to Public Relations Pro. She's the perfect person to help us learn the best ways to be sure that reporters get our stories right, and keep coming back for more. Listen in as we talk about: Designating a market spokesperson Being prepared with talking points and photos How to develop relationships with local media reps Making it easy for local associations to promote your market What to know when it's time to hire a PR professional

July 27, 202640 min

Ep 371: Telling Our Stories | Time To Talk Back

There's a lot of talk about farmers markets right now. We're on the front line of food safety. With big box grocery prices climbing we're now often the better bargain. National Farmers Market Week is upon us. Of course, more attention brings enthusiastic reviews and also clickbait and uninformed experts. So now, more than ever, we need to be speaking up, sharing tales from the tents, and educating our target audience: everyone who eats.    In this new season of Tent Talk, Telling Our Stories, farmers, makers, farmers market managers and even some shoppers will recount their market journeys. We'll be suggesting some of the best ways that you can share your stories and respond to inaccurate reports. And we'll look at how we can all work together to be sure the important points get made, again and again.    Tune in to this first episode of the new season as we discuss: When challenges are also opportunities, or how to discuss poop soup Keeping an eye on what's being said To respond or not to respond, that is the question Tuning in to what the public thinks, and sharing what we know

June 1, 202636 min

Ep 370: Past Tents, Future Tents | Celebrating Market Days

Celebrating all the things is an easy way to remind ourselves that we have the best (albeit weirdest) job in the world. We work really hard, whether the public knows it or not. So for vendors, farmers and market teams, a little frivolity can go a long way in making people feel recognized and in relieving the pressure that we're under as we monitor regulations, manage conflict and deal with traffic. If we're also cutting a little cake or getting a bouquet handed to us it can really change the day. Listen in as we talk about everyday celebrations.   It's easy to find things to celebrate Recognition of birthdays and anniversaries mean a lot Sharing your team's accomplishments reminds the public that there IS a team Start now to plan bigger celebrations like National Farmers Market Week

May 25, 202638 min

Ep 369: Past Tents, Future Tents | Now We're Cooking

Farmers markets do everything they can to bring people to the market to shop. And sometimes we go beyond our grocery store in the street identity to make it more fun to stick around. Programming can mean dancing and demos, crafts and cooking. The best weekly offerings tie into fresh food and benefit our farmers. Tune in to this episode to get some new ideas   Booking music that complements rather than distracts Making sure cooking demos use market ingredients Spreading the word about your special events Letting kids convince their parents to come back Teaching people to cook makes them more likely to shop   Shout out to the Dallas Farmers Market cooking demo by L.A. Farm Girl (pictured) coming up June 11th

May 18, 202653 min

Ep 368: Past Tents, Future Tents | Live From InTents: The Future Is Analog with David Sax

Even in the age of AI and digital deliveries, farmers markets are growing. People hunger for personal connection, real food and the quality that only comes from human creativity and craft. In this episode recorded live at the 2026 InTents National Farmers Market Conference, Catt Fields White and author David Sax discuss how markets can leverage the power of analog to retain loyal shoppers and make life better. Listen in and consider:   • What bookstores, typewriters and farmers markets have in common • The response to high tech is high touch • Farmers markets as cultural touchstones • Emphasizing service and hospitality • The comfort of community in chaotic times

May 11, 202635 min

Ep 367: Past Tents, Future Tents | Apply Yourself: Farmers Market Application Tips

Discovering new vendors that fill a need for shoppers at your farmers market is like hitting the jackpot. Finding the market that's the perfect fit for your business and your schedule is every vendor's goal. Communicate clearly and everybody wins.    This week the Farmers Market Pros are talking about balancing all the pieces that create a smooth, straightforward and welcoming application. With just a little effort on both sides the process can be the start of wonderful working relationships. Start here:   Know where you're headed and make your application a map Put that application button in all the places Find the right balance: more welcoming, less gatekeeping When applying, be as specific as possible  Auto responders and market management platform tools save precious time

May 4, 202650 min

Ep 366: Past Tents, Future Tents Reza Djalal | Putting The Farmers Market in FMPP

The USDA just opened the Local Agricultural Market Program (LAMP) request for proposals and Farmers Market Promotion Program applications are due on June 5th. This funding has been a moving target the last couple of years, with tight deadlines,  slow responses and sometimes sudden terminations to confirmed contracts. Still, the grant amounts are some of the largest available to farmers markets seeking to accomplish big, multi-year projects.    This week we're talking to Reza Djalal of the Adams County Farmers Market. He's been part of a successful FMPP grant project and is submitting again this year. Listen in as we chat about:   What kind of preparation will help meet this tight deadline  Framing your project as one that helps farmers Checking meticulously for typos and math errors  The weight USDA gives to naming partners (like Farmers Market Pros) Making your 35 page proposal "beautiful"

April 27, 20261 hr 0 min

Ep 365: Past Tents, Future Tents | What We Learned at The InTents Conference

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 and experienced market managers to deep dive • Partnering with a friendly non-profit to fund scholarships. Know anyone? • Staying in touch between conferences with live calls, focus groups and more   This episode of Tent Talk is supported by the National Farmers Market Survey 2026. You have until THIS Thursday to answer the questions and contribute to a knowledge base that will benefit us all. Click the Michigan State University logo on the Resource page at FarmersMarketPros.com to access the survey today.

February 9, 202643 min

Ep 364: Grow Where You're Planted | Maggie Funkhouser: State of Reunion

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.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

One moment, please...

BusinessInvesting

One moment, please...

Business

Swallow Your Pride Podcast

BusinessCareersInterviews guests

One moment, please...

Business

One moment, please...

Business
MACRA

MACRA

MACRA Website

Business