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SMITHFIELD

The Farmers Market Vendor Training Series is scheduled to begin this January.

The first session, “Selling at the Market,” will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Suffolk, and on Wednesday, Jan. 15, in Smithfield. Topics to be covered will include social media, merchandising, customer service and pricing

The second session, “Safety at the Market,” will take place on Monday, Feb. 10, in Smithfield, and on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Suffolk. Topics to be covered will include food safety and booth safety.

The third session, “How to Connect in the Community,” will take place on Wednesday, March 11, in Suffolk, and on Thursday, March 12, in Smithfield. Topics to be covered will include: Partnerships – VA Grown, VA Finest, Extension, Tourism; Economic Development; Food and Beverage Expo and more.

Dates and topics for the fourth session in April are still to be determined.

The Smithfield workshops will be in the Smithfield Center, 220 N. Church St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch provided.

The Suffolk workshops will be in the Suffolk Visitors Center, 524 N. Main St., from 4 to 8 p.m., with dinner provided.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. For questions, directions and registration, contact Livvy Preisser at 365-6261 or livvy16@vt.edu.

The series is being coordinated by Virginia Cooperative Extension – Isle of Wight; Virginia Tourism; Virginia Department of Agriculture; Isle of Wight/Smithfield Tourism, Surry Tourism; Franklin/Southampton Tourism; Suffolk Tourism; and farmers markets of Smithfield, Surry, Downtown Franklin, and Suffolk.