Farmers Market Coalition and USDA Launch ‘Markets Are Up!’ Campaign in Preparation

In anticipation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 10th annual National Farmers Market Week (August 2-8, 2009), the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), in cooperation with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), announces Markets Are Up!, an educational and celebratory campaign to help farmers markets and farmers market associations nationwide communicate the vital role that such markets play in improving consumer health, local communities, and economies. As part of the Markets are Up! campaign, promotional tools such as ads, postcards, and templates for press releases and emails are now available on FMC’s website.

Elements of Markets Are Up! include:
• Print-ready images for advertisements, posters, mailers and other collateral point of sale material that illustrate the positive health, community, and economic aspects of farmers markets
• Marketing materials featuring a “I Love Farmers Market” logo, including decals and bookmarks• Fact sheets and Frequently Asked Questions, including statistics, data, study results, and other information about farmers markets
• Glossary of Terms defining over 30 common labels found at farmers markets including “heirloom,” “grass-fed,” “free-range,” and “locally-grown”

Markets are Up! was developed in partnership with the USDA/AMS Marketing Services Division. Support was also provided by a variety of sponsoring businesses and organizations, including Ethix Merchandise and SQN Communications.

USDA/AMS currently estimates that there are approximately 4,800 farmers markets in operation in the U.S. The agency will release its updated tally of U.S. farmers markets for 2009 during National Farmers Market Week. USDA has officially celebrated the first full week of August as National Farmers Market Week since 2000, and in 2008, USDA designated National Farmers Market Week a permanent fixture on the USDA calendar.To access the Markets are Up! materials cited above visit the FMC site.

About USDA’s AMS ProgramThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service administers programs that facilitate the efficient, fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products, including food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS has about 5,500 employees located throughout the United States. For more information about AMS’s farmers market and direct food marketing activities, please visit the AMS Marketing Services Division’s home page.

The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to strengthening farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities. Through education, networking, and advocacy, FMC builds leadership and capacity for farmers markets and the organizations that support them.

Download the Markets Are Up! press release here.

Fair Grove Farmers' Market for the Locals

The Fair Grove Farmers’ Market has provided the local community fresh, local foods for more than 10 years. The market offers visitors not only local foods but activities for children, such as a Growing with Kids Club, where local Master Gardeners teach children about growing different plants each week.

Find out more about the Fair Grove Farmers’ Market and it’s vendors.

MDA Growing Together Community Garden

First Lady, Director of Agriculture Proclaim July as Local Foods Month and Presents the Department of Agriculture’s Growing Together Garden

Friday, First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon and Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Growing Together Garden and proclaimed July as Local Foods Month. The community garden, located and maintained at the Department of Agriculture, is the first garden of its kinds on the grounds at the Agriculture Department and serves as a showcase of Missouri’s agricultural products.

“Community gardens are popping up in many cities across the U.S. especially in urban areas. These gardens are a reminder of where our food comes from, improve neighborhoods and provide access to fresh produce for communities,” said First Lady Nixon. “Community gardens develop teamwork, encourage healthy initiatives providing physical and social benefits to employees as well as aesthetically improve the grounds.”

Produce from the garden was donated to the Samaritan Center in Jefferson City. Other picked produce has been given back to Department of Agriculture employees for a donation to the Department’s Activities and Recreation Committee.

Community gardens provide health benefits as well as economic, social, cultural and educational opportunities. These gardens also promote environmental awareness and provide community education. Many community gardens sell their produce at local farmers’ markets. The Growing Together Garden features tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, green beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, okra, pumpkins, raspberries, fruit trees and a wide variety of flowers and herbs including parsley, dill, oregano, chives, basil, sage and thyme.

“Our Growing Together Garden has given Department employees a chance to work together while also benefiting from fresh, local produce and giving back to our community,” said Dr. Jon Hagler. “We thank First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon for her commitment to locally grown foods and agriculture.”

During the ceremony, garden sponsors were recognized for their commitment to the garden including Morgan County Seeds, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Central Missouri Master Gardeners, Signature Homes, Lowell Mohler, Schnieders Brothers Excavating, Brian Fleischmann, Stark Bros Nursery, Foster Brothers and Schaeperkoetter Sales. Other event sponsors included Chez Monet Bakery Café and Kenny Anderson.

For more information regarding community gardens, farmers’ markets or the Growing Together Garden, visit mda.mo.gov.

View a slideshow of photos from the event here.

(PHOTO: First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon and Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler pictured above.)

Share Market News With Us

Brownfield Ag News is blogging about our Missouri Farmers' Markets! Brownfield Farm Broadcaster Julie Harker is traveling to market around the state filming video podcasts for the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Farmers' Market Program.

View all past audio and video podcasts here.

Does your market have news to share? Email Lane at Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov.

Department of Agriculture Offers Specialty Crop Growers Funds

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking grant applications from organizations or groups of individuals interested in enhancing the competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry. Grant applications are due on July 31, 2009.

Applications will be considered on a competitive basis. Selected applications will be included in the Missouri specialty crop state plan and reviewed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture. Some examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops are research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, food safety and security, plant health, education, "buy local" programs, addressing environmental concerns and developing cooperatives.

In 2009, 15 projects were awarded. Those projects varied from promoting farmers’ markets statewide, to establishing local community gardens and after school-garden clubs, to researching the performance of seedless watermelons and establishing a voluntary online registry to help producers of pesticide-sensitive crops alert applicators to the crop’s location.

An application packet and program details for the specialty crop grant are available at mda.mo.gov or by contacting Tony Anderson at (573) 751-2969.

(PHOTO: Greater Polk County Farmers' Market in Bolivar.)

Missouri’s Premier Agriculture Expo Offers New Appeal

The best in livestock, crops and farm machinery will be showcased at the annual Missouri State Fair August 13 to 23 in Sedalia along with a new focus that is expected to broaden the appeal of this premier agriculture expo making it a meaningful event for even more Missourians.

The message “Rural Lifestyles Showcase, country living is not just for farmers anymore!” is being promoted by the Fair this year in an effort to tap an audience of people seeking to incorporate more rural experiences into daily living.

Fair Director Mark Wolfe said, “Recent findings on market trends confirmed that the Fair could be more effective by expounding on demonstrations that offer how-to information on topics that visitors can take home and apply.”

In 2006, there were over 27 million households in America that participated in some form of rural lifestyle, according to a study conducted by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, and that number continues to grow.

“Building superintendents along with other partners that spearhead exhibits were asked to cooperate in the new focus, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Wolfe said.

Visitors to the Fair this year can expect to see a mix of unfailing traditional displays along side new and relevant exhibits.

First-time demonstrations in the Home Economics Building that Wolfe believes will be well received are classes titled Sensible Living Tips, Ultimate Couponing, Living a Frugal Lifestyle and On-line Shopping. Educator will be Alicia Myers who has been featured several times on her hometown news station KY 3 television in Springfield, Mo. Typically, Myers charges for these services, but will be providing free crash courses to this year’s fairgoers.

The Agriculture Building, overseen during the Fair by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, will offer a stage sponsored by Sprint WL this year to accommodate new demonstrations that also conform to the Rural Lifestyles Showcase agenda. Among the stage presenters will be Master Chefs from across the state preparing delicious meals using foods found at Farmers’ Markets.

“The Farmers’ Market in the Agriculture Building was a huge success last year and will be back again,” Wolfe said. “The new cooking shows from regional chefs this year will provide fairgoers with tips that they can take home and apply in their own kitchens.”

Additional topics in the expo will include art instruction from professionals in pottery, photography and sculpture, as well as tips from experts in landscaping, gardening and going green.

A complete list of subjects available in the Showcase is on the Fair’s Website to help visitors explore the expo in advance. Valuable features soon to be added to the site include building schedules and vendor lists that can be printed or picked up at information booths during the 11-day event.

The Showcase is included with Fair admission. A regular adult admission ticket is $8, senior is $6 and children 12 and under are free. Parking is also free. Regular adult tickets can be purchased in advance for a savings of $2 now through August 12 from Break Times, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Orscheln Farm and Homes across the state.

Break Times are also selling an Unlimited Daily Spin Deal ticket for $27, which is a combined offer of one day admission and one day unlimited carnival ride wristband. It is available now through August 23.

The State Fair is the largest expo in Missouri situated on 396 acres and home to 15 buildings, of which most are air conditioned and handicap accessible. Approximately 320,000 people visit annually.

Farmington Farmers’ Market Has Something for All

The Farmington Farmers’ Market serves not only the city of Farmington, but consumers from a 20 mile radius. The market is open Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., May – October and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., April 11 – October.

Hear from some of the expert market vendors on topics such as composting and organic agriculture on this episode of the Missouri Farmers’ Market Podcast Series.