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 - 4pm. 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
Brags and Blunders
Get to know those around your table by sharing your successes, and your not-so-great moments, in a small-group format. We’ll share out your best ideas and your cautionary tales to the whole group.
10:00am - 11:00am
Fundraising Ideas
Panelists will discuss ideas for fundraising beyond grants.
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 - 4:00pm
Flash Sessions: New Ideas For Your Market
We’ll hear short presentations from five market managers on new programs and projects they’ve implemented at their market.
4:00pm
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
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