Training Webinars for Farmers and Market Operators

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) or the FreshConnect Checks Program (FCC) is welcome to participate in any of the training webinars offered by the Department. Webinars are free and open to the public. All that is required to take the webinars is access to the internet and a compatible device.

New farmers participating in FMNP must undergo a formal training offered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (Department), and submit proof of training as part of their application. Proof of training is documented when the farmer completes a quiz at the end of the training. New farmers in the FMNP must undergo formal training in their first year only.

A pre-recorded training webinar is available for the FMNP, FreshConnect Checks, and SNAP EBT program training. The webinar is 45 minutes long and involves an interactive quiz, which you must take in order to receive credit for the training.

To take the training, you will need access to high speed internet and a compatible web browser. The training can be accessed at any time and at your convenience. No pre-registration is required.

If you have trouble taking the pre-recorded webinar, please contact the Department at [email protected]. 

Get trained

The Department delivers real-time training webinars online through an application called WebEx. Webinars are delivered by Department staff and provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions. Farmers, market managers, and anyone interested in learning more about the webinar topic are welcome to participate.

Attend a Live Webinar

Please check back here for details and registration links for future trainings.

Instructions

Live webinars are free and last approximately one hour. The training is delivered via an online application called WebEx, and the audio is available through the phone, computer, or mobile device.

Follow these steps to attend a live webinar:

• Verify that you have the equipment necessary to attend. This includes:
  • A desktop computer or mobile device with the Cisco WebEx Mobile Application installed,
  • A telephone or computer speakers, and
  • An internet connection.
• Register for the training webinar.
• Once registered, you should immediately receive a confirmation email from "NYS ITS Enterprise Conferencing." 
  • If you do not see this email, check your junk or spam folder.
  • If you do not receive an email from "NYS ITS Enterprise Conferencing" in 24 hours you will have to register again or contact the Department for assistance.
• On the day of the meeting:
  • If you are using a computer browser, open the confirmation email and click the link to join the meeting.
    • You may also go to meetny.webex.com and enter the meeting number and password.
    • Next, accept the browser add-on or plug-in request on your desktop computer.
    • Connect to the audio of the meeting by dialing in from your phone or electing to use audio through your computer.
  • If you are using a mobile device, launch the Cisco WebEx Mobile Application and enter the meeting number.

Non-Department persons may coordinate a group gathering to train farmers. Coordinators can register for and broadcast the Department's live training webinars to their group. They are also welcome to provide access to the pre-recorded training webinars.

Coordinators must notify the Department of their plan to host a group gathering training. The Department will provide a copy of the quiz, which must be filled out by each farmer and returned to the Department in order for the farmer to receive credit for the training. Coordinators must also complete and return the Webinar Training Logsheet.

Managers of a FMNP market can provide in-person training for farmers at their market who are new to the FMNP. Managers must use the Department's training presentation, found online, to conduct the training. They must also contact the Department for a copy of the quiz, and must have each farmer complete the quiz at the end of the training. 

If a manager is not available to provide the training, Department staff may offer training over the phone. Call the Department to schedule this training.

This is a special webinar series and is not intended for farmers, market managers, customers, or the general public.

State agencies and county service providers involved in direct administration of the Women Infants and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP), the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), or the FreshConnect Checks Program are welcomed to register for these online webinars.

Find a webinar