Tent Talk, the farmers market podcast

Whether you’re a farmers market manager, a farmer or food maker selling at farmers markets, a policy maker or market supplier, Tent Talk is the podcast for you!

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How to listen to Tent Talk

Stream our most recent episodes below or find Tent Talk wherever you regularly get your podcasts. With a new episode every Monday, Tent Talk brings you new farmers market knowledge on a weekly basis. There is so much that goes into farmers markets, and so many interesting people involved, we will never run out of material! 

 
 

Search by keyword, topic or guest to find the episode you’re looking for!

Episode 273: A Holiday Message
Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays

Episode 273: A Holiday Message

Whether and however you're celebrating Christmas today, we hope you're getting a day off from at least most of your duties and chores. Farmers are still feeding animals and food makers may yet be delivering holiday orders. 2023 has been a lot: happy, sad, busy, full, and all of that has been better because we've done it together. Community is the greatest gift.

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Episode 270: Holiday Gifting

Episode 270: Holiday Gifting

Tis the season for holiday gifting! Farmer, vendor or market manager, it's time to remember your employees, volunteers and maybe some of your great customers or loyal CSA members. If material gifts aren't in your plan this year, we’ve got tips for other ways to acknowledge people who have supported you this year. It really is the thought that counts, and a special thank you can go a long way.

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Episode 269: Rules of Engagement
Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays

Episode 269: Rules of Engagement

Social media is a perfect example of a blessing and a curse. Engaging with your online community can strengthen existing connections, while inspiring and educating potential new shoppers. Navigating the comments? That requires a whole different skill set and sometimes a tough skin. There's nothing more fun than conversational volleys with your followers. But as we all know, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows in the comments section.

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Episode 268: Winning Websites
Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays

Episode 268: Winning Websites

Whether or not you have a robust social media presence, your website is your markets' home. Whether you're a market manager, a farmer, or a vendor, use your website to tell people the who, where, what and maybe why of your farmers market business. This is a great time of year to take a look at what's there, what should be, and what might be streamlined.

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Episode 267: Sounding Off On Surveys
Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays Market Managers, Vendors, InTents Conference Leandra Hays

Episode 267: Sounding Off On Surveys

Many of us are winding up our seasons, so why not take some time to listen, gather some data, and look at our markets from a different perspective? Opening a channel for honest feedback can help you improve, understand, and grow your market. No matter what you’re asking, surveys are one more way to communicate with your farmers, vendors, and shoppers.

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Episode 266: Best of: Kathy Zeman on Effectively Advocating for Small Farmers

Episode 266: Best of: Kathy Zeman on Effectively Advocating for Small Farmers

Ever wonder why farmers markets and small farmers don't have a bigger say in public policy? Us too! This week on Tent Talk, we brought in an expert to help shed light on the big issues that small farmers are facing. We learned a lot and it confirmed that the old addage is true: the squeaky wheen gets the cheese!

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Episode 262: The Beginning of the End

Episode 262: The Beginning of the End

It’s the beginning of the end…. end of year planning, that is! Heading into the fourth quarter means the holidays are upon us, folks. Get planning for Halloween costume contests, thanksgiving recipes, special holiday markets and events, and if you’re lucky, latke cook-offs. It also means tackling some less exciting clerical stuff and reports.

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Episode 261: Chris Cirkus: Competition or Coalition: Working with Produce Distributors

Episode 261: Chris Cirkus: Competition or Coalition: Working with Produce Distributors

We all advocate for farmers keeping the full retail price of their products by selling at farmers markets. So are produce distributors competing with markets for chefs' dollars and sometimes home shoppers? Or are they providing one more valuable income stream for farmers?

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Episode 259: Cara Mae Wooledge: Fundraising The Bar

Episode 259: Cara Mae Wooledge: Fundraising The Bar

Cara Mae Wooledge invites us into the world of fundraising for Farmers Markets! It can feel uncomfortable asking your community to contribute financially to your market beyond simply shopping there. However, it helps to remember that it’s not just a money ask, it’s an invitation to be part of what we do, and an opportunity grow community connection around local food.

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