Paul Ovrom will give a general overview of Farmers Markets in Iowa, go over resources available to managers, touch on rules and regulations applicable to markets, and where to turn to for help in help in overcoming challenges or when seeking fresh ideas. Paul will be happy to try to answer participant questions sent it prior to the event or asked during the presentation.
Paul Ovrom is the State Horticulturist for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Paul has been with the Department for the last ten years and served for several years as the administrator of the Iowa Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Paul is active on many boards including serving as an ex officio member of the Iowa Farmers Market Association and was president of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs in 2016-17. Paul also serves as co-chair/manager of the Capitol Hill Farmers Market in Des Moines. He has degrees in botany and horticulture and a Masters in forestry from Iowa State University. Paul has a son in the landscape architecture program at ISU and lives in the Des Moines area with his wife and teenage daughter.