2024 Year in Review Newsletter

Written By CT FMA .

2024 CT FMA Recap

As 2024 draws to a close, we celebrate our achievements here at the Connecticut Farmers' Market Association. We wanted to thank each of you for your support and participation this year.

A few successes (or highlights) from our year:

  • The official launch of the CT FMA!

  • We secured a fiscal sponsor

  • We filed to become our own 501c-3 (non-profit)

  • We brought three more team members to the association

  • We raised $10k as seed money to launch the FMA

  • We hosted two free webinars - more information below

  • We gained support from the Ag Commissioner and Governor

What have we done for Connecticut's farmers' markets?

  • Q1 -  We have been working with the Department of Agriculture to find ways we can bridge communication and feedback throughout the year.

  • Q2 -  We hosted a webinar focused on marketing best practices and tips from subject matter expert, Elise Gilchrist.

  • Q3 - We secured funding and filed for 501c-3 status.

  • Q4 - We hosted a free webinar with the Michigan Farmers' Market Association, which is considered the top in the country, on their Data Collection Toolkit and the value of capturing feedback and statistics to better serve our markets. (See webinar recording here!)

What to expect in 2025:

  • For our next meeting, we hope to host an in-person meet-up.

  • We anticipate securing 501(c)3 status;

  • Developing our Board of Directors by Q2;

  • Launching a website to be used as a resource for farmers' markets.

  • Further connect with state and local officials to better support our markets and farmers

  • Our goal is to host three educational events to be held in Q2, Q3 and Q4

A special thanks to:

  • The team who is spearheading this initiative:  Kay Carroll, Lori Cochran Dougall, Elise Gilchrist, Kaitlyn Kimball, Haley Schulman and Peggy Zamore

  • City Seed, Litchfield Farmers' Market and Westport Farmers' Market for hosting our financial sponsor, Renewal by Anderson

  • To the Westport Farmers' Market for hosting the CT FMA under their 501c-3 designation which allows our organization to accept donations and to have professional resources to help develop the business

Our team at CT FMA wishes you and yours the happiest and healthiest of holidays!

CT FMA

(Lori, Kay, Elise, Kaitlyn, Haley and Peggy)

CT FMA .
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Data Collection Webinar Recap