By Bradford Sherman
CFAES/South Centers
Christie Welch, Direct Food and Agricultural Marketing Team Leader with OSU Extension, has been elected to a three-year term on the Farmers Market Coalition board of directors. The board is tasked with representing the farmer, consumer, and community interests served by farmers markets.
Joining Welch as new members on the board are Christie Balch, Senior Evaluation Associate, Sharp Insight LLC; and Robbi Mixon, Executive Director, Alaska Food Policy Council/ Alaska Farmers Market Association. Anupama Joshi and Gary Matteson were re-appointed during the most recent board elections held in early spring.
As part of her role with OSU Extension, Welch leads a team to provide research-based information and education on all aspects of marketing to Ohio’s farmers and producers. Her most popular programs include MarketReady, DeviceReady, Meet the Buyers, and best marketing practices.
Welch has worked with the Business Development Network at the Ohio State University South Centers since 2004 and has more than a decade of experience assisting Ohio’s farmers and food producers in business and marketing for the increased sustainability of their farms. She has worked extensively with Ohio’s farmers’ markets, farm markets, micro-farms, and other stakeholders to improve the economic condition of Ohio’s farmers and agritourism enterprises.
She offers training and education in business planning and development, direct marketing, and collaborative problem solving. Ms. Welch has a strong interest in the economic development of rural Ohio and is especially interested in family farms and agribusinesses within this region.
The national Farmers Market Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to working with farmers market operators to strengthen farmers markets across the United States so that they can serve as community assets while providing real income opportunities for farmers.
The mission of the national Farmers Market Coalition is “to strengthen farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities.” FMC’s primary role is supporting those individuals and entities that operate farmers markets.