| Minnesota Farmers' Market Association |
Friendly Vang-Johnson Friendly Vang-Johnson is MFMA's Government Affairs Director. Friendly grew up in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul, farming in Rosemount, and at markets all across the Twin Cities. She holds a Master's of Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and served two decades as a federal performance auditor and investigator. During the height of COVID, she founded Friendly Hmong Farms, a social enterprise business that supports local Hmong and other Black, Indigenous, and people of color farmers and communities. Her body of work has included value chain coordination, public policy advocacy, research, and technical assistance/coaching/mentoring to farmers. Friendly considers what she does an exercise in community solidarity; she believes that farmers' markets and local, regenerative agriculture are cornerstones for food sovereignty. Friendly was also recently added as a Minnesota Farm Advocate, specializing in assisting emerging farmers. (206) 276-2284 |  |
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(612) 695-6587 | Sina War, Engagement & Inclusion Director Sina War has extensive experience as the former Market Manager and Director of Programs & Partnerships at Minneapolis Farmers' Market. Sina excels in enhancing food access, community engagement, and effective communication. She played a key role in overseeing Minnesota's largest farmers' market, fostering interactions between farmers and vendors, and promoting local, sustainable food. As the Engagement & Inclusion Director at MFMA, Sina's unwavering dedication extends to the support of farmers' markets, food hubs and small-scale farmers. She actively forges creative partnerships that embrace diverse communities within Minnesota's agricultural landscape. Sina's responsibilities encompass not only raising consumer awareness, providing educational opportunities, and advocating for sustainable and equitable food systems but also fostering inclusive collaborations that enrich the agricultural community. Sina is currently leading on: |
| Kathy Zeman, Executive Director Kathy started working with MFMA in September 2012. She is also the owner of Simple Harvest Farm in Nerstrand. Kathy has spent most of her career in food farming and brings those connections to MFMA, which has helped MFMA build strong collaborations with diverse groups and has paved the way for successful public policy efforts. Kathy is determined that MFMA achieves its mission and vision of building a thriving local foodshed. Following the COVID pandemic, MFMA earned the national Gus Schumacher award from the Farmers Market Coalition, in recognition of MFMA's work to keep farmers and farmers' market open to grow food and feed their communities. Kathy brings MFMA leadership to numerous groups:
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MFMA provides services, programs, and leadership that support and promote farmers' markets across Minnesota and our Tribal Nations.
We envision a community of vibrant, profitable, and professionally managed Minnesota farmers’ markets that:
- Cultivates, nourishes, and inspires a vibrant local foods community;
- Provides accessibility to all to local farm fresh foods;
- Allows local food producers to thrive and grow;
- Ensures these opportunities are available to everyone regardless of ethnicity, age, gender identity, or economic standing.
Director of Government Affairs: Friendly Vang-Johnson /// friendly@mfma.org /// (206) 276-2284
Director of Engagement & Inclusion: Sina War /// sina@mfma.org ///
Executive Director: Kathy Zeman /// kzeman@mfma.org /// (507) 664-9446
Minnesota Farmers' Market Association | 9800 155th St E | Nerstrand MN 55053-2403
Copyright MFMA 2025