Title: The Inside Scoop on Farmers' Markets
Description: It's Farmers' Market season! Join us for our June luncheon where we'll have an impressive panel of highly credentialed Market experts talking about all things Market-related. Learn how to confidently and knowledgeably shop at the Market to ensure you're getting the goods you think you're getting. Panelists will also come prepared to talk about a specific, in-season ingredient (herb, veggie, fruit, anything!) that’s versatile and lesser-known, and provide some specific garden-related tips for success. Join us for this educational, timely discussion, and come prepared with your questions. These are the folks to ask!
MODERATOR: Natalie Kenny Marquez, Owner and Creative Director at Grow Marketing... Natalie has over five-and-a-half years of market management experience as well as over four years serving on the board of the Illinois Farmers Market Association, three of which serving as board president. As the 7th generation of her family to live in Champaign County, Natalie has been able to connect her family's strong agricultural ties through her work with farmers markets.
PANELIST: Janie Maxwell, Executive Director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association... Janie is passionate about expanding local foods and farmers’ markets. As a Registered Dietitian, she believes strongly in the health value of local food and advocates for local food by building systems that highlight the economic value of markets to communities and farmers.
PANELIST: Amanda Pankau, Monticello Farmers' Market Manager... Amanda worked as an environmental consultant and community organizer in southern Illinois until her move back to Monticello last summer. Her work in the community ranged from building the local food economy with the non-profit Food Works to board service with the Illinois Native Plant Society.
PANELIST: Sarah Simeziane, Farmers' Market and Food Access Manager, The Land Connection... After completing M.A.degrees in Communication and Linguistics at the University of Illinois, Sarah began teaching at Parkland College and took a seasonal position with the Urbana Market at the Square. Through this position she was able to learn more about local food, help administer Link matching programs to expand struggling families' food budgets, and hone her photography skills at the market. In 2012 she became assistant director of the Urbana market and joined The Land Connection in April 2015 for the launch of the new Champaign Farmers' Market.
11:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking
11:45 a.m.: Buffet Opens
12:15 p.m.: Meeting/Program
