CFMA 2026 Annual Conference

Welcome, our Colorado farmers market community! It is that time of year to register for our Annual CFMA Conference 2026! The conference will be held in Fort Collins at 200 W Oak St., the site of the Larimer County Farmers Market in the summertime.

The city that hosts Colorado State Univarsity, Fort Collins has long been a hub of agricultural research and innovation and a site of rich farmers markets. Hear from agricultural research economists and farmers market vendors alike, and explore charming Fort Collins!

Sessions will begin the morning of Friday, February 28th and go through mid-day (before lunch) on Sunday, March 1st. It will be two and a half days filled with informative sessions, farm tours, a visit to a Winter Farmers Market, local eats and drinks and the opportunity to connect in person with our farmers market community!

Additional Information:

• The CFMA Conference will be in-person only this year. And, if you can't make it to the Conference we hope to be able to record most sessions - stay tuned for confirmation on that and details on purchasing recording access.

• Ticket Pricing: We will be using the tiered pricing system for our conference to make it as accessible as possible while still covering the costs of hosting the conference. Tiered pricing works if everyone can assess honestly which tier is most appropriate for them. For this to work, we need as many people to purchase tickets in Tier 3 as in Tier 1 – this way it will balance out, and CFMA can cover our costs for hosting the conference. Note that CFMA members receive a 20% discount on tickets in all tiers, and EARLY BIRD tickets cost less than regular tickets, in all tiers.

Tier 1 – This tier is for farmers, or small markets with a very small budget (most markets should purchase tickets in Tier 2 or 3).

Tier 2 – This tier is intended for small to medium sized markets with a limited budget.

Tier 3 - This tier is for markets run by governmental entities with a training budget or established non-profits; as well as partner organizations.

Note that CFMA Members receive a $20 discount on all ticket tiers. MUST be an active member in 2026 to receive this discount!

• Stipends: We want the conference to be available for everyone to attend. If cost would be a barrier to attending the conference, click here to apply for a stipend. Stipends are limited and dependant upon sponsor and pay-it-forward donations.

• Travel: If you are looking for an alternative way to travel to the conference this year, explore the Bustang! Route to the Fort Collins Downtown Transit Center and someone will be happy to pick you up. Contact [email protected] to coordinate a pickup or a carpool!
• Merch Swap: On Sunday, join in our merch swap by bringing any of your market's swag to trade! Or, bring any food systems related clothing, stickers, bags, etc. Give new life to your swag!

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Fort Collins for conference attendees 2/28-3/1. Please call (800) 768-0605 and ask for the Colorado Farmer’s Market Association or reserve using the link below. The group rate is $119.00 per room, per night, based on a single/double occupancy in a standard room with one King bed or two Double beds. Standard parking is available for $15.00/night. Rooms must be reserved by 2/6/26, so book ASAP!

To reserve online:

COLORADO FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION

CFMA Conference 2026 Agenda

Friday, February 28th

200 W. Oak Street Fort Collins, CO

7:30 - 8am: Check-in and registration

8-8:30am: Welcome, housekeeping, and icebreaker Conference planning committee

8:30-9:30am: Market Assessment for Farmers and Farmers Markets Martha Sullins, CSU Extension Specialist

9:30-9:45 am: Break

9:45-10:45am: Vendor panel Hear from 5 long time vendors about what makes a great market

10:45am-11am: Break

11am-12pm Fundraising 101: How to fundraise for your market: Scott Hapner

12pm-1pm: Lunch

1pm-2:35pm: Breakout sessions

1. Food Rescue at Farmers Market Carli Prairie and Josh Greene, Northern CO Foodshed Project and Food Bank for Larimer County

2. Market Trends and Dynamics Dawn Thilmany, CSU Extension Specialist

3. How to Pass your Health Dept Inspection Larimer County Department of Public Health

4. The Power of Small Farmers Markets John Costea, Market Manager

2:45pm-4pm: Regional Meetups

Dinner on your own in Fort Collins

Saturday, February 28

7:30-8am: Breakfast & gathering

8:00-8:45am: Nourish Colorado annual update Nourish CO

8:45-9am: break

9-10am: CFMA Annual Meeting CFMA Annual Business Meeting *online access available to members*

- Board Member Elections

10-10:30am: Break

11am-12pm: Winter Market tour and activity Kenan Hill, Winter Farmers Market Manager

Lunch at Winter Market

2-3pm: Farm Tours at the Northern Colorado Foodshed Project’s Farm Business Accelerator. Hear from participants who are farmers market vendors.

3:30 PM: ~break time on your own~

6:00 PM: Dinner together & Happy Hour at Stodgy Brewing

Sunday, March 1st

7:30-8:00am: Breakfast & gathering

8-8:30am: Merch swap! Bring extra market or food systems “swag” to trade, Maggie Switzer

8:30-9:30am: Exploring Differing Market Organizational Models Hear from Cooperative, Nonprofit, Governmental, and For Profit markets

9:30am: break

9:45-10:15am: Building market longevity LCFM’s 50th Anniversary, Alison O'Connor

10:15am: break

10:30-11:30am: What makes a good market management platform? Hivey, sponsor and market management startup

11:30am-12pm: Conference wrap-up, evaluation & photo

12:00pm: DEPART (optional post-conference lunch)

12:15pm Optional lunch gathering

***Agenda is subject to change

**Farm tour addresses and directions will be provided with registration

*This year there will be no online conference access, with the exception of the Annual Business Meeting - link will be sent to CFMA 2025 membership.

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