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Farmers Market Vendor Training

The LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities program works to support the economic well-being of local farmers and food producers by providing technical assistance and identifying and expanding opportunities within the local food system. This free virtual training teaches current and potential Louisiana farmers market vendors about growing, marketing, developing, and selling their products through both in-person and online market channels. Learn how to expand your customer base and establish yourself in Louisiana’s local food market and beyond. Find contact information for our speakers and a directory of farmers markets in Northeast Louisiana below!

Name & Organization Phone Number Email Address
Cecilia Stevens (LSU AgCenter) (318) 435-2903 cstevens@agcenter.lsu.edu
Odis Hill (SU Ag Center) (318) 237-3517 ohill2@agcenter.lsu.edu
Melissa Cater (LSU AgCenter) (318) 435-2903 mcater@agcenter.lsu.edu
Marcus Coleman (LSU AgCenter) (225) 578-6149 macoleman@agcenter.lsu.edu
Eddie Foster (USDA NRCS) (318) 766-3502 ext. 3 edward.foster@usda.gov
Kerry Heafner (LSU AgCenter) (318) 323-2251 kheafner@agcenter.lsu.edu
Audrey Kolde (Louisiana Central) (318) 441-3407 akolde@louisiana-central.com
Alessandro Holzapfel (LSU AgCenter) (225) 578-2701 aholzapfel@agcenter.lsu.edu
Kami Semick (Food4All) kamisemick@food4all.com
Makenzie Miller (LSU AgCenter) (225) 578-4565 makenziemiller@agcenter.lsu.edu
Joy Sims (LSU AgCenter) (318) 574-2465 jsims@agcenter.lsu.edu
Sarah Sims (SU AgCenter) (318) 474-5325 ssims@agcenter.lsu.edu

Market Name Location Day & Time Other Details
Columbia Pop-up Farmers Market Main Street, Courthouse Square, Columbia, LA 71418 Saturdays, 8 am - 12 pm
  • Items must be homegrown/homemade
  • Contact Hannah Cummings Springer (318) 791-4574
Village of Harrisonburg Farmers Market 12855 Hwy 124, Harrisonburg, LA 71340 Saturdays, 8 am - 1 pm
  • Open from June through early September
Delta Farmers Market Old Courthouse, Spruce Street, Vidalia, LA 71373 Wednesdays, 9am - 1pm
  • Open in the summer
  • Pop-up format
Winnsboro Farmers Market 708 Adams Street, Winnsboro, LA 71295 Monday to Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm
  • Booths and items must be approved by manager
  • Contact (318) 680-4884
Olla Town Square Market Front Street, Olla, LA 71465 Tuesdays, 4 pm - til
  • Open May through November
Madison Parish Farmers Market Courthouse Square, N Cedar St, Tallulah, LA 71282 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 am - 5 pm
  • Vendors not always there during open hours
Bastrop Farmers Market 305 E Madison Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220 Monday to Saturday, 8 am - 3 pm
  • Booth rental available
  • Contact (318) 281-1630
Monroe Farmers Market 1212 Washington Street, Monroe, LA 71201 Monday to Saturday, 6 am - til
  • Contact (318) 392-2225
West Monroe Farmers Market 1700 N 7th Street, West Monroe, LA 71291 7 am - 6 pm
  • Market days vary by season
  • Contact (318) 322-2210
Delhi Farmers Market 1104 Broadway Street, Delhi, LA 71232 Monday to Saturday, 8 am - 6pm
  • Open April through November
  • Contact Jake McPherson (318) 303-3141
St. Joseph Downtown Market Downtown St. Joseph, LA 71366 Saturdays
  • Open Memorial Day to Labor Day
  • Primarily crafts and baked goods
Union Parish Farmers Market 407 S. Main Street, Farmerville, LA 71241 Monday to Saturday, 8 am - 4 pm
  • Open year round

LSU AgCenter and SU Ag Center Resources for Farmers

Odis Hill (Southern University AgCenter) and Melissa Cater (LSU AgCenter) share resources and technical assistance available to Louisiana farmers and producers through LSU AgCenter and Southern University AgCenter.

Resources for Beginning Farmers in Louisiana

Marcus Coleman (LSU AgCenter) outlines opportunities and resources for beginning farmers in Louisiana including the Grow Louisiana Beginning Farmer Training Program (USDA BFRDP). Learn about technical and business training, farmer-to-farmer mentorship, and experienced-based learning opportunities.


Increasing Growing Seasons with High Tunnels

Eddie Foster (USDA NRCS) explains the benefits of growing using high tunnel systems and details funding opportunities for Louisiana farmers interested in incorporating high tunnels into their farming operations. Download the high tunnel presentation here.

Variety Selection for Vendor Success

Kerry Heafner (LSU AgCenter) explains the importance of selecting the right varieties to grow to increase your success as a farmers market vendor.


How to Be a Great Farmers Market Vendor

Audrey Kolde (Louisiana Central – formerly known as CLEDA) explains how to excel as a farmers market vendor through strategic product selection and display, market leadership, and teamwork.


Marketing Your Harvest with Louisiana MarketMaker

Alessandro Holzapfel (LSU AgCenter) demonstrates how to market your local products online and connect with buyers all over the country using the MarketMaker website.

Selling Your Products Online Using Food4All

Kami Semick (Food4All) demonstrates how to use eCommerce platform, Food4All.com, to sell your products to both local and national buyers.

Expanding Your Customer Base Through SNAP

Makenzie Miller (LSU AgCenter) explains the advantages of accepting SNAP/EBT benefits at your farmers market or farm stand and provides information on how to become an authorized SNAP vendor.

Farmers Market Food Regulations

Joy Sims (LSU AgCenter) and Sarah Sims (Southern University AgCenter) provide information about cottage food laws in Louisiana, SafeServ training and certification, and safe food handling practices for farmers market vendors.

Questions or concerns? Email healthycommunities@agcenter.lsu.edu.


Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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