MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Agriculture Department says the more than 130 farmers markets across the state are economic engines for communities.

The agriculture department said in a news release Monday that it is teaming up with the Kansas Department of Health and to host a farmers market conference next year that aims to help those community markets succeed. The two-day conference begins Feb. 28 in Manhattan.

Stacy Mayo is director of the department’s ‘From the land of Kansas’ program. She says the conference is designed to strengthen markets by providing information, resources and tools.

The conference includes workshops and sessions designed to help farmers market managers, vendors and community stakeholders.