Extension Connection

Farmer's Market
By Heather Benedict, Agronomist Specialist

Fall has definitely come.  We are experiencing the cool weather and the leaves have changed color to their autumn hues.  I have thoughts of pumpkins, apples and spicy scents from kitchens.   As we prepare for winter it seems a strange time to talk of farmers markets, but, we must begin to prepare for next year. 

There has been an upsurge in the amounts of farmers markets around the country.  With the high price of fuel and the trends toward fresh foods, consumers have turned to farmers markets as reliable places to buy their produce.  There is comfort in knowing where your food has come from and in being able to select what you would like from a variety of products. Buying produce directly from the grower allows the consumer to get fresher, riper foods.  Fruits and vegetables that are picked and served when ripe are more nutritious and better tasting.  Thus, these markets benefit both the consumers and the producers.

 While markets have been doing well as a whole in the past years, the weather in northwest Missouri has not been good for production this year.  Keeping that in mind, we would like to begin planning for a market for next year in Bethany.  There will be a meeting around the middle of November for people interested in selling in a farmers market in Bethany.  We will be discussing the logistics of a farmers market such as where it will be located and advertising for the market.  If you have an interest in taking part in the market, please plan to come to the meeting.  The time and date of the meeting will be announced, or you may call the extension office in Bethany for that information.  The phone number is (660) 425-6434. 

More information and the research on the practices I have discussed as well as on many more subjects can be found in your local extension office.  So if you would like further information on this or any other topic contact your local University of Missouri Extension office.  University of Missouri and Extension programs are open to all.  Thank you for your time.

(November 10 , 2008)

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Extension Connection Barb Ubben, Web Manager harrisonco@missouri.edu Last revised: 05/25/04