Mass Farmers Markets
2026 FARMERS Market Conference
Thursday, February 26th, 2026
Clark University Worcester MA
Mass Farmers Markets is excited to welcome you to this in-person conference. Hear from market managers and partners about many of the topics facing farmers markets today. Plus, we'll have both facilitated discussions and informal networking opportunities so you can meet and trade ideas with market managers from across the state.
Schedule
Check-in and breakfast will begin at 8am. The program is expected to run from 9am - 3:45pm. A light breakfast and a lunch featuring locally-sourced ingredients are included.
8:00am - 9:00am
Check-in and Breakfast
Take advantage of this time to enjoy a light breakfast and meet your fellow conference-goers.
9:00am - 9:15am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15am - 9:55am
Roundtable Conversations: Brags and Blunders
Get to know your fellow conference goers in a light-hearted small-group format. Share some of the best ideas you’ve implemented at your market or organization, as well as the things that didn’t quite work.
10:00am - 11:00am
Support Local! Fundraising from Your Community
Panelists will share ideas for fundraising from individuals and local businesses.
11:00am - 11:15am
Break
11:15am - 12:30pm
Emergency Management and Planning
Hear how you can plan for emergencies at your market, including weather, threats to safety, and more.
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm - 2:50pm
Food Access and Nutrition Incentive Programs Beyond SNAP
With ongoing uncertainty and threats to the federal SNAP program, we’ll discuss ways that you can support food access in your community beyond the SNAP program.
3:00pm - 3:45pm
Flash Sessions: New Ideas For Your Market
Hear from a range of farmers market leaders about innovative ideas they’ve implemented at their markets. This session is meant to motivate and inspire you to try something new!
3:45pm
Conference Ends; Informal Networking Continues
You’re welcome to stay and continue to connect with fellow conference-goers.
Tilton Hall, Higgins University Center, Clark University
950 Main St, Worcester, MA
Free parking is available at the Kneller Athletic Center Garage
53 Downing St, Worcester, MA
Directions from the garage to the venue
Parking Tips!
The entrance to the parking garage is on Downing Street, not Shirley Street.
When you exit the garage, turn right and head up the hill. Follow the signs to the conference venue.
Handicap parking is available behind the Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center, across Main Street from the conference venue
939 Main St, Worcester MA
Venue
Registration Fees:
MFM Member Markets: $55
Non-Members: $70
MFM Member Markets pay a discounted rate. To receive the discounted rate, please use the promo code that was emailed to you when registering.
Mass Farmers Markets is committed to making its 2026 Farmers Market Conference accessible to all. If cost is a barrier to attending, reduced price tickets are available. More information is here: MFM Conference Reduced Price Tickets
Tickets
Our Sponsors
If you are interested in sponsoring our conference, please email Rick Grudzinski at memberservices@massfarmersmarkets.org