Agricultural Sciences

Land-use webinar to focus on farmers markets before, during and after COVID-19

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Farmers markets and the integral role they play in our communities will be the topic of a web-based seminar titled, “Farmers Markets Before, During and After COVID-19,” presented by Penn State Extension at noon Sept. 16.

The 90-minute session will be led by Brian Moyer, Penn State Extension program associate who works with farmers markets. Jay Eury, extension educator, and Molly Berntsen, extension program associate, also will be presenting.

Farmers markets have long served to increase food access in low-income areas, support small farmers and local businesses, and bolster a strong local economy, Moyer noted. Now, with food insecurity heightened, the agricultural food supply chain is at risk, he added.

“However, while local economies are devastated by business closures, farmers markets can fill a critical health and economic gap,” Moyer said. “Deemed essential businesses by several states including Pennsylvania, farmers markets underwent huge changes when COVID-19 struck last March.”

Managers had to quickly redesign market layouts and procedures to follow state guidelines as well as create processes for online ordering, he pointed out. The outcome has seen markets attract different customers and has changed how markets are viewed within their communities. 

This is the third webinar in Penn State Extension’s Land-Use Webinar Series, which helps municipal officials, planners, landowners, farmers and community organizations be informed about land-use issues and decisions in their communities.

Other topics and dates in the webinar series include:

--July 15: “Pedestrians: Safety, Speed and Crosswalks.” 

--Aug.19: “The Future of Zoning: The View from the COVID-19 Lens.” 

--Oct. 21: “Planning Commission Boards in Pennsylvania:  Requirements and Recommendations.”

--Nov. 18: “Changing Consumer Food Sourcing in the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

All programs are recorded and available for viewing later.

The cost of the webinar series is $50 for all five sessions, or $95 for all five sessions for those who want to receive AICP certification-maintenance credits from the American Planning Association. This webinar will be eligible for 1.25 credits for AICP planners.

The cost is also $95 for all five sessions for professional engineers needing PDH credits. 

In addition, registered landscape architects can receive continuing-education credits for a fee of $65.

For more information, contact Peter Wulfhorst at 570-296-3400 or by email at ptw3@psu.edu. To register for the webinars, visit the website.

Last Updated September 1, 2020

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