Who We Are...
The Ohio Farmers Market Network, formerly known as the Farmers Market Management Network or FMMN, is a 501(c)3 organization representing the interests of farmers markets throughout Ohio, their managers and vendors. Founded in 2008 as a cooperative, our mission is simple:
"To support and strengthen farmers markets in Ohio."
Today, the Ohio Farmers Market Network (OFMN) provides Ohio farmers markets and vendors with resources, tools, networking opportunities and a unified voice for public policy. Over the past 10 years, OFMN has worked with member and non-member markets and farmers, as well as the general public, throughout Ohio.
Our network works cooperatively with market managers, vendors, municipalities and other agencies to identify common goals and align resources when possible. In doing so, we address concerns of markets large and small, representing urban, suburban and rural markets and producers.
Our vision for the future? Sustainable markets and profitable farmers and food producers.
Why We're Here...
The mission of the Ohio Farmers Market Network is to:
- Provide access to local foods.
- Assist area farmers, food producers, and artisans with sustainable business opportunities.
- Further the economic development of our communities.
- Assess and address the needs of farmers markets around Ohio.
- Provide opportunity for professional development.
- Represent our agricultural partners in local, state, and federal issues.
Who We're Workin' With...
Our work is generated by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of managers, vendors and stakeholders from around Ohio. Allow us to introduce the 2019-2020 board members:
Jaime Hadji
Chair
Get Fresh Markets
Jaime Hadji is a passionate advocate for local farmers and consumer access to locally-sourced and produced goods—both as co-founder and co-owner of Wayward Seed Farm and Great River Organics, and as a Certified Farmers Market Manager of several Central Ohio farmers markets.
Hadji has a bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from The Ohio State University, and more than 15 years of experience in both food and customer service. She brings a unique blend of business acumen and an understanding of marketing that is a rarity in farming. With a genuine passion for agriculture and fresh and local food, Hadji is an ideal ambassador for not only the farm itself, but for the education and expansion of farmers markets and CSA throughout the community.
Penny Shore
Secretary
Wyoming Ave. Farmers’ Market
Penny Shore is the owner and General Manager of the Wyoming Ave. Farmers Market, founded in 2007. While she is originally from the Garden State and has planted a vegetable garden whenever she’s had land, her love of farmers markets began when she lived in Northern California. Prior to her farmers market work, Penny managed worldwide technical sales training for Informix Corporation and held similar positions at other software companies. She founded Wyoming Ave. Farmers Market with Britt Hedges when their search for local produce offered few options in the Cincinnati area.
Charlie Ernstes
Candu Farm
Together with his family, Charles Ernstes started Candu Farm 25 years ago in Bethel, Ohio. From selling peppers at roadside stands, Ernstes has grown his business to include more than 50 varieties of vegetables sold at markets throughout the greater Cincinnati area.
As an active member of several farmers markets boards, Charlie is a voice for farmers market vendors, vegetable farmers and his community. And as Charlie says, “I'm hoping I can do this for another 25 years—it's a love affair with growing food for people.”
Dan Madigan
Toledo Farmers’ Market
Dan Madigan is the Executive Director of The Farmers Market Association of Toledo. Since 2003, Madigan has overseen the farmers cooperative that operates the Toledo and Westgate Farmers Markets. He serves on the Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network advisory committee, Produce Perks, and is the head of the Northwest Ohio regional spoke. Prior to Produce Perks, Dan implemented Double Up Food Bucks, an incentive program of the Fair Food Network.
Madigan’s primary work has been the Director of Facility Services for MaritzCX in Maumee, Ohio since 2004. In addition, he serves as an associate board member of the Sun Federal Credit Union. Dan has been married to his wife, Robin, for 36 years. They have two children and live in Waterville, Ohio.
Christie Nohle
Vice Chair
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Christie Nohle joined the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens as an Educator and Farmers Market Coordinator in 2013. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University in landscape architecture, was the owner of the eclectic garden shop, Urban Gardener in the Short North, and was also the general and catering manager at a local restaurant.
At the Conservatory, Christie teaches many of the horticulture classes, as well as a few culinary classes with a focus on nutrition, connecting people to where their food comes from and buying local, sustainable, organic produce whenever possible.
Christie is also responsible for the Wednesday Farmers Market where you will find a bounty of locally grown produce and handmade products. Everyday, she enjoys sharing her knowledge of plants, gardening and cooking with the guests who frequent the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
Michelle White
Treasurer
Clintonville Farmers’ Market & Get Fresh Markets
Michelle White is a Certified Farmers Market Manager, and has served as manager of the Clintonville Farmers’ Market since 2013. She is co-founder of Get Fresh Markets, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting small family farm and food businesses by operating successful neighborhood farmers markets. White graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in English Literature in 2006. Ever since, she's been passionate about mapping the story of local food and farming and passing it along to others.
Michael Francis
Mayhem Foods LLC
Michael Francis is the owner of Mayhem Foods, where they put flavor and quality first. He is also a strong advocate for new vendors’ rights, and is not afraid to speak out when needed. Michael was voted into the board in 2018, due to his strong views of vendors, market managers, rights and obligations.
David Persinger
Fayette County Farmers’ Market & Persinger Produce & Cottage Foods
Known as the “Jam Man,” David Persinger is the owner and producer of Persinger Produce & Cottage Foods. David is a Certified Farmers Market manager and has managed the Fayette County Farmers’ Market for the past nine years. As a producer and manager, Persinger has a unique point of view, seeing issues and topics facing markets and their producers from both sides of the table.