Missouri State Fair Brings Local Produce To the Fair

Fairgoers acquired a “taste” for Missouri as Master Chefs turned local foods into delicious dishes during the Missouri State Fair, August 13 to 23 in Sedalia.

The Local Foods Area drew special attention on Opening Day when Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon took time out of their busy schedules to stop by to see Missouri’s fresh produce, share their commitment and appreciation to local foods and proclaim August as Farmers’ Market Month in Missouri.

Fair visitors had the opportunity to learn about local foods and taste more than nine varieties of tomatoes in the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Local Foods Area. The Local Foods Area included a Local Foods Cooking Stage, farmers’ markets and much more!

Fair goers could watch and learn how to prepare fresh recipes on the new Local Foods Cooking Stage, sponsored by Sprint. Chefs from across the state showed consumers how to prepare simple recipes using local fresh ingredients.

The Missouri State Fair Farmers’ Market was a draw for many fairgoers again this year, where consumers had the opportunity to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables and ask industry experts questions about getting involved in direct marketing.

This year the market featured new items including fresh meats, goat cheese, eggs and summer sausage. Also in the area was the Lil’ Sprouts Kids Area, informational booth about buying local food in Missouri.

The MDA thanks the local food vendors that provided the produce, meat, eggs and goat cheese for the farmers’ market this year. Vendors included:

Anderson Produce
Kenny Anderson
12418 W RailroadCentertown, MO 65023
(573) 645-3882
andersonproduce@embark.com

Fahrmeier Farms
9364 Mitchell Trail
Lexington, MO 64067
(816) 289-2496
fahrmeierbros@gmail.com
http://www.fahrmeierfarms.com/
http://fahrmeierfarms.blogspot.com/

Goatsbeard Farm
Ken & Jennifer Muno
11351 Callahan Creek Rd
Harrisburg, MO 65256
(573) 875-0706
kjmuno@tranquility.net
http://www.goatsbeardfarm.com/

Kenny Duzan
9255 E Turner Farm Rd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 449-8116 or (573) 355-4843
kennyduzan@yahoo.com

Lowell Mohler
4054 Hwy 179
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 353-1444
meadowcreek2@aol.com

Missouri Legacy Beef
Mark Mahnken
31369 Hwy 129
Salisbury, MO 65281
(660) 788-3555
mcc@cvalley.net
http://www.missourilegacybeef.com/

Patchwork Farms
1108 Rangeline St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 449-1336
timgibbons@morural.com
http://www.patchworkfamilyfarm.org/

Rasa Orchards
19510 Garr Rd
Lexington, MO 64067
(660) 259-2938
rasaorch@myturbonet.com

Sandy Nelson
761 Rodeo Rd
Camdenton, MO 65020
(573) 873-4038 or (573) 346-3346
boxturtleranch@sbcglobal.com

Sellmeyer Farms
Greg & Tammy Sellmeyer
7208 State Rd C
Fulton, MO 65251
(573) 642-1376
gsellmeyer@ktis.net

Show Me Farms
Don Mayse
7750 E Hwy AB
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 449-4250
sales@showmefarms.com

Veggie Patch
Jim & Paula Thies
County Rd 239Glasgow, MO 65254
(660) 338-2471
jimthies@socket.net

Peter’s Market
1 1/2 miles east on U.S. 65
Waverly, MO
660-493-2368
petersmkt@hotmail.com
http://www.petersmkt.com/

Mother Earth Market
Waverly, Mo
660-493-2615

Missouri State Fair Will Bring Local Produce from the Farm to the Fork

Fairgoers can acquire a taste for Missouri as Master Chefs turn local foods into delicious dishes during the Missouri State Fair’s Rural Lifestyles Showcase August 13 to 23 in Sedalia.

Lane McConnell, Missouri Department of Agriculture Marketing and Local Foods Program Manager, is especially excited about the 1st Annual Missouri Local Foods Cooking Demonstrations.

“Visitors will not only have the opportunity to learn about local foods and taste more than nine varieties of tomatoes,” McConnell said, “but they can watch and learn how to prepare fresh recipes on the new Local Foods Cooking Stage, sponsored by Sprint WL, in the Agriculture Building.”

“Chefs from around the state will conduct daily cooking demonstrations centered on using local foods and simple fresh ingredients,” McConnell said.

The cooking demonstrations will last about one hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day of the Fair. An online schedule will be available soon.

Returning to the Agriculture Building will be the Farmers’ Market where fairgoers can purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables, and ask industry experts questions about getting involved in this business.

“The Missouri State Fair Farmers’ Market will be a terrific family-stop for visitors to the fairgrounds this year,” McConnell stated. “Other new events will be kids’ activities and a mini farmers’ market every other day in the campground.”

State Master Gardeners will also be available to answer lawn and garden questions and provide consumer information on growing small to large gardens.

The Agriculture Building, supervised during the Fair by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, is embracing the new Rural Lifestyles Showcase as a way to help the public incorporate agriculture-related experiences into daily living. The building is air conditioned and will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. August 13 to 22 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. August 23.

Additional topics available in the Showcase can be found online. Soon to be added to the site are building schedules and vendor lists.

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 will be “MOre Fun Than Ever!” with its new focus on country living and its dedication to affordable family entertainment. Visit the Web site for schedules and special promotions.

(Press release couresty of Missouri State Fair)

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.)

Farmers’ Market GPS Coordinates

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been working very hard to update their website. A new addition to the website will be a page with GPS coordinates to each farmers’ market across the state. The GPS coordinates will show the exact location of the all the markets in the state making it easier for consumers to locate their nearest farmers’ market. The Department of Agriculture hopes this online map will increase awareness for Missouri farmers’ markets.

Intern Jana Haley has been compiling and updating all of the market information. If you know the physical address of a market in your area and would like to help, please send your information to jana.haley@mda.mo.gov.

Director of Agriculture Congratulates Webb City Farmers’ Market for Award on Opening Day

Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler recently visited the Webb City Farmers’ Market to congratulate them on receiving the 2009 Market of the Year award and to discuss the importance of local foods and farmers’ markets to the state. The Webb City Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 10th year and recently expanded and improved its facility.

“The Webb City Farmers’ Markets sets an unprecedented example of how to maintain a successful market. The Webb City Farmers’ Market is meeting the consumer’s demand of high quality locally grown foods in a diversified marketplace,” said Dr. Hagler. “Farmers’ markets allow consumers to see where their food comes from. In doing so, farmers’ markets help reduce the economic distance between producers and consumers – placing a high quality product on consumer’s tables and more dollars in the producer’s pockets. It is a win-win situation for both farmers and consumers.”

Over the past twelve years, there has been a significant increase in the number of farmers’ markets across the state. In 1997 there were 53 markets. Today there are over 158 markets in Missouri with average sales of $1000 per day.

“The Department of Agriculture has placed an increased emphasis on sustainability, stewardship and local foods,” said Dr. Hagler. “Missouri’s farmers markets embody that emphasis by providing consumers locally grown products.”

The Webb City Farmers’ Market will be open for the 2009 season offering fresh, locally grown products on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. (May-Oct.) and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-12 noon (June-Sept.).

Looking for Sweet Corn Growers

We've been asked to identify sweet corn growers that wodul be willing to sell to a retailer- at a good cost.

Charlie Benne is a fair vendor that we've worked with in the past and he is looking to buy local sweet corn all summer long- at a good price! He runs Good Time Charlie’s at the Missouri State Fair and operates a Corn Roaster and would like to use all local corn this year.

If you or any of your vendors at your markets would be interested in this opportunity please call Charlie at 660-473-0228

Missouri Farmers’ Market Video Series

Throughout the season, you might find a video crew poking around your market, interviewing customers and vendors and purchasing some of the home-grown goodness from our specialty crop producers. Not to worry though- it’s just the Learfield Communications video crew that we’ve hired to film farmers’ market videos this season.

The videos will focus on the uniqueness of each market and give consumers an insight to a typical shopping day at the market. Videos will be posted right here on the blog.

If your market has a special event this season that you think would make for a good video, let myself or Tony know so we can try and get you on the video schedule.

On the Move!

I’m getting pretty good at moving around. I’m still in the process of moving back to Missouri from Texas. Now after almost six weeks at the Department of Agriculture I’m moving offices. But more importantly, I have been moving around the state meeting with people interested in Farmers’ Markets and local food.

Last week I went to Ferguson to give a presentation for the Earthdance Organic Farming Apprenticeship program. The ‘Freshman Farmies’ and I discussed growing and selling at a farmers’ market. The group will be growing produce at the Historic Mueller Farm in Ferguson and selling it at the Ferguson and Maplewood Farmers’ Markets.

I also travelled to meet the market masters at Soulard Market and the Ellisville Farmers’ Market at Straub’s. Straub’s Fine Grocers will have farmers’ markets at both their Clayton and Ellisville stores this year. The Ellisville market will be new this year, but will have many of the producers from the successful Clayton Market. Soulard, on the other hand, is the oldest farmers’ market west of the Mississippi.

On Saturday I took my family to the Columbia Farmers’ Market and then went to their Spring Fling Round-up later that afternoon. My kids enjoyed the honey ice-cream from Walk-About Acres, even though it was pretty chilly. At the Spring Fling I attended a great presentation given by Dr. Kamyar Enshayan on the economic impact of local foods.

This week I had a booth at the School Food and Nutrition Directors Association Food Expo in St. Louis. I discussed local food opportunities and the ‘Farm to School’ program with several school districts from St. Louis to Columbia.

I’m getting ready to head to Moberly for a meeting tonight. Moberly has re-organized their Farmers’ Market with the help of Mainstreet Inc. They are having a vendors meeting tonight at the Randolph County Health Department building at 6pm.

I am planning many more visits and trips to farms and farmers' markets in the coming months.

At the AgriMissouri Social Media Training

I'm in Mexico today at the AgriMissouri Social Media Training talking about Blogging 101. I'm doing a demo right now (seriously) for folks across the state.

Check back later on for more updates!

Welcome the New Marketing Specialist for the MDA

It’s with much excitement that I introduce our blog readers to the newest addition to the Missouri Dept of Agriculture (MDA) team, working with our local food producers.

Tony Anderson is the new marketing specialist for the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Tony’s responsibilities for the MDA will include promotions and marketing in the areas of farmers’ markets, horticulture, and agritourism. Originally raised on farms in Owensville and Bland, he graduated from Owensville High School in 1991. Tony continued his education at Missouri State University before transferring to the University of Missouri to pursue a degree in Horticulture. He returned to school in 2003 to earn an MBA from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Much of his horticultural passion started as a child, both from growing up on the farm, as well as spending time with his grandparents in NW Arkansas. His grandfather maintained a 4-5 acre vegetable garden with another acre devoted to grape vineyard and apple orchard, while his grandmother developed an impressive ornamental garden and bearded-iris collection. Many of the iris and grapes are still there but Tony has recently helped his parents develop some of the remaining acreage into a small pumpkin farm.

Tony says his career has given him a varied range of horticultural experience that he hopes to draw from in his new position. He has spent time in garden center management, landscape design and installation, greenhouse plant sales and distribution, horticultural consulting and education. His employers have ranged from large companies, such as real estate developer Southern Land Company and Powell Plant Farms, on down to the experience of starting and owning a small business. In addition, he was an adjunct professor for the horticulture program at Richland College in Dallas, Texas.

Tony is very excited to be moving his family back to Missouri. His wife, Sarah, is also a graduate of Owensville High School and the University of Missouri physical therapy program. They also have three wonderful children; Sam, 9, Josie, 6, and Olivia, 3.

I hope you all help me welcome Tony to the blog-o-sphere!

Kansas Farmers' Market Conference

I’m headed to Topeka, Kansas this morning to speak at the Kansas Farmers’ Market Conference. “Growing Together" is the theme for the conference, which is a great focus this year! I will be presenting in the market track on Effective Communication at the Market: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communications.

The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. program will also include a session on grants and programs that can assist farmers´ markets and value-added businesses in enhancing their direct marketing. Another session will provide an update on recent changes in the regulation of market products to ensure food safety and provide adequate consumer information.

The first half of the afternoon will provide for five your-choice break-out groups that attend multiple sessions, focused on a single
topic:

* Cut flowers and plants,
* Launching or revitalizing a market,
* Meat and dairy,
* Marketing and display, and
* Managers and boards.

The conference organizers are the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops (KCSAAC), based with Kansas State University Research and Extension; the Kansas Department of Commerce; the Kansas Department of Agriculture; and the Kansas Rural Center.

O’Fallon Farmers & Artists Market to Debut Summer 2009

O’Fallon Farmers & Artists Market To Hold a Community Interest Meeting March 16

In these tough economic times, what could be better than creating another source of revenue in O’Fallon, while benefiting the community with farm fresh produce, specialty items and unique works of art?

After visiting similar events throughout Missouri, O’Fallon resident Wendy Glidden pitched the idea to the City of O’Fallon at a meeting in January. After receiving positive feedback, and identification of an convenient lot site next to O’Fallon’s River City Rascals Baseball Stadium on T.R. Hughes Blvd in O’Fallon, she is enlisting the support of the local community at a community interest meeting scheduled on March 16th at the O’Fallon City Hall Multipurpose Room beginning at 4:30 pm. Lane McConnell, Missouri Dept of Agriculture Marketing Specialist, will be presenting information, a community survey will be taken, and interested vendors will be given applications.

“My hope is that the O’Fallon Farmers & Artists Market will grow to be a jewel in our community,” explains Wendy. “Patrons will be able to shake hands with local farmers who grew the vegetables they feed their family, while trading tips for preparation, tasting homegrown fruit, finding a new plant for their garden, or searching for a one-of-a kind gift for a friend. A Farmers’ Market is an opportunity to gather with your neighbor to uplift the local economy, complete with entertainment and health events.”

"Buying local products means experiencing local flavor and cuisine, and for a lot of consumers, that is what farmers’ markets are all about. Often what you find when purchasing supermarket products is that the majority of your dollars spent goes into shipping and production costs of produce. At your local farmers’ market, you are buying directly from the farmers; therefore, what you see is what you get, and your money stays in your local community," said Lane McConnell, Missouri Dept of Agriculture Marketing Specialist.

So, citizens, do you want the ability to purchase quality local and/or organic meat, vegetables, fruit and one of a kind craft items at a reasonable price, right here in O’Fallon, while enriching and supporting local community? Vendors, here’s your chance to show your green thumb or gift of craft through sales of locally grown, hand made, and/or organic products. Entertainers take note- do you wish for a venue to show off your musical skills, dance ability, or hobby?

Obtain vendor applications, complete a community survey, and meet fellow market supporters who are interested at the following meeting:

GO GREEN!
O’Fallon Farmers & Artists Market Meeting
March 16, 2009
O’Fallon City Hall Multipurpose Room
4:30pm- Meeting; Open House 5:30-7pm
O’Fallon City Hall Multipurpose Room
100 North Main Street
O’Fallon, MO 63366

RSVP/ for more information:
ofallonfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Organic Producers Offered New Ideas for Growing Their Small Farms

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is sponsoring an upcoming event for organic producers to learn more about sustainable agriculture and how to add more value to their small family farms.

The Missouri Organic Association’s annual conference will be held Sat. Feb. 21, 2009 at the Carver Farm – a research farm and extension of Lincoln University located in Jefferson City, Mo. Topics during the conference will include organic dairy, organic corn and soybeans, improving soil fertility and becoming organic certified.

Read the entire story here.

NAFDMA Bus Tour

Yesterday started the NAFDMA Bus Tour. What is this? According to the NAFDMA website, NAFDMA’s bus tours are undoubtedly the best-kept secret in today’s world of high technology.

Usually around 50 folks are crammed onto a 300 square foot tour bus for three days touring around the convention state visiting agritourism operations and doing lots of networking with one another. Yesterday, we visited Manning Farms/Vidalia Valley, Pineola Farm, Lane Packing and then dinner at the Rock Ranch.

Today was a fun-filled day of traveling around Georgia as well. We started the day at the Dekalb Farmers’ Market, Cagle’s Dairy and Cagle’s Farm House, dinner at Wolf Mountain Winery and Chateau Elan Winery. Tomorrow we will finish the NAFDMA Convention Bus Tour with visits with Panorama Orchards, Mercier Orchards, R&A Orchards and Hillcrest Orchards.

The tours visit tourist destinations that highlight the culture and environment of the host regions. More important, participants visit the most outstanding farm markets in North America.

View more on the NAFDMA Blog.

Keep in Touch with Missouri Farmers’ Markets and Local Products All Year Long

Although Missouri farmers’ markets across the state are taking a break after this upcoming weekend, Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) are reminding consumers to visit their markets on or before Saturday to taste the many great fall products that Missouri farmers offer. Consumers will also be able to learn more about Missouri products all year long through MDA web links and retailers throughout the state.

(PHOTO: From Weston Red Barn, Weston, Mo.)

“Farmers’ markets are just one of the many ways Missourians can enjoy locally grown and produced products,” said. Gov. Matt Blunt. “I encourage Missourians to take advantage of the abundant food and local products Missouri farm families are producing at their local farmers' market.”

“Most farmers’ markets across the state will be having their final sales of the season on Saturday, but consumers can continue to find many great Missouri products in grocery stores and supermarkets or check out the listings of locally-grown through our AgriMissouri program,” said Don Steen, director of MDA. “Missouri farmers’ markets continue to offer local, fresh foods for consumers while many retail facilities across the state also provide choices in locally-grown Missouri products.”

Consumers will have the chance during this off-season to learn more about their favorite farmers’ market vendors by visiting this blog and listening to the numerous podcasts – a digital recording of a radio broadcast – featuring Missouri farmers and producers. This month’s podcast features Robert Long, co-owner of Flintrock Bison Ranch in Halltown, Mo. Long sells their ranch’s bison meat at his local farmers’ market. New podcasts are featured twice monthly and feature a variety of topics related to Missouri’s 140 farmers’ markets.

“The new farmers’ market podcasts offer many opportunities to learn about markets and the farmers across the state that produce high-quality local produce, as well as other food products,” said Lane McConnell, marketing specialist with MDA. “Our Missouri markets provide the availability of fresh, affordable and healthy foods to communities, while enhancing the local economies. The podcasts will give consumers an inside look at how local food is grown and harvested and provide valuable information about what our Missouri markets offer visitors."

Another great place to keep up with all that Missouri has to offer during this season is the Department of Agriculture’s AgriMissouri Showcase located at http://www.agrimissourishowcase.com/. This site also offers podcasting and videos about various Missouri products offered in various retail locations.

“As we move into the fall season, many people begin to think about those holiday gifts that might be great for their loved ones. AgriMissouri offers many great products that are perfect for holiday gifts for everyone,” said Sarah Gehring, member services coordinator with AgriMissouri – a program that provides marketing assistance and opportunities to Missouri food manufactures, farmers, producers, agritourism businesses and farmers’ markets. “You can’t go wrong with giving a Missouri-made product including jams and jellies, homemade soaps and candles or a bottle of Missouri wine.”

Series of Farmers’ Market Workshops Offer Competitive Edge for Missouri Producers

Beginning Nov. 21, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) will begin a series of statewide farmers’ market workshops focused on growing techniques for better sales at farmers’ markets, food safety and salesmanship/direct marketing. The workshops will be open to growers and farmers’ market masters.

“Farmers markets help promote nutrition education, wholesome eating habits and better food preparation while providing a boost to the local economy,” said. Gov. Matt Blunt. "These workshops provide a great opportunity for Missouri farm families to learn about new ways they can take part in the growing demand for home-grown food and agricultural resources."

Local direct marketing provides Missouri producers with a profitable opportunity to sell directly to consumers at retail prices. Farmers’ markets are growing in popularity, and in number, as consumers are becoming more health conscious and aware of the benefits of buying fresh, locally grown produce. Recently, Missouri has seen an increase of farmers’ markets with more than 140 markets around the state. These markets are poised to be successful local markets, but more growers are needed to supply a variety of products to satisfy the consumer demand.

"Consumers have the opportunity to find many great farmers’ markets offering local products while increasing rural development in many communities across Missouri,” said Don Steen, director of MDA. “The Department of Agriculture is constantly looking for ways to assist producers with new ideas and to make our state’s farmers’ markets even better. The series of farmers’ market workshops will help producers gain valuable skills in marketing to Missouri consumers.”

The Farmers’ Market Workshops will be held in seven cities across the state. The schedule is as follows:

· Nov. 21 -- Direct Marketing: Finding the Salesman in You
Hannibal, Quality Inn and Suites
· Dec. 4 -- Direct Marketing: Finding the Salesman in You
St. Joseph, Buchanan County Extension Office
· Dec. 11 -- Growing for a Farmers’ Market
Fredericktown, TBA
· Jan. 20 -- Food Safety, On the Farm and At the Market
Columbia, Boone Electric Coop Facility
· Jan. 27 -- Direct Marketing: Finding the Salesman in You
Blue Springs, Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City East/Blue Springs
· Feb. 10 -- Food Safety, On the Farm and At the Market
St. Peters, St. Charles County Extension Office
· March 6 -- Growing for a Farmers’ Market
Springfield, Springfield Library Center

Workshops are $15 per person and includes lunch and snacks. For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact Lane McConnell, marketing specialist with MDA, at (573) 751-4339 or Lane.McConnell@mda.mo.gov.

Wilson's Creek Farmers Market Community Input Meeting

Calling all professional growers, part-time gardeners, and consumers who are interested in being involved with Southwest Missouri's newest farmers market, taking place in 2009 at the Battlefield City Park.

If you are from Battlefield, Republic, Brookline, Clever, Billings, NIxa, Ozark, Highlandville, Rogersville, Southwest Springfield or other local community, please join us Sunday, October 19th 2-4 PM at the Battlefield Community Room for a community input meeting on the new Wilson's Creek Farmers Market. For more information call (417) 881-4138.

6th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast

Celebrating fall harvest season has never been more fun.

Missouri’s agricultural specialty products will be front and center at the sixth annual Missouri Chestnut Roast, Saturday, Oct. 18, at the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin, Mo.

The roast, sponsored by the MU Center for Agroforestry and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, features fall family fun with chestnuts as the main ingredient. Activities include samples of fire-roasted, Missouri-grown chestnuts, live bluegrass and Caribbean/Spanish guitar music, displays and sales of Missouri specialty agricultural products, farm tours and cooking demonstrations with chestnuts.

The Center for Agroforestry supports the nation’s most comprehensive research program for developing the Chinese chestnut as a nut crop to bring the chestnut back to the nation’s dinner (and dessert) plates. Mike Gold, UMCA associate director, explains that the American chestnut was almost wiped out in the early 20th century due to blight. However, closely related Chinese chestnuts grow well in Missouri soil and are increasingly in demand as gourmet restaurants and food stores discover their versatility.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The Ironweed Bluegrass Band and Eco Gitano, a group specializing in a blend of Caribbean and Spanish guitar, will provide musical entertainment. The New Franklin High School Athletic Booster Club will operate a concessions stand offering grilled elk, buffalo and beef products for sale.

Craig Cyr, executive chef of The Wine Cellar and Bistro in Columbia, and Eric Cartwright, executive chef at MU Campus Dining Services-Plaza 900, will prepare recipes that incorporate chestnuts and local foods during cooking demonstrations. Attendees can watch the creation of and taste these one-of-a-kind chestnut creations.

Vendors will feature a variety of locally grown agricultural specialty products including chestnut, pecan and walnut products; wines and specialty beers; ice cream; mustard; goat cheeses; tomato products; meat products; and elderberry products.

The Missouri Chestnut Roast is a kid-friendly event. Children will have plenty to keep them busy, including a live bat presentation by the U.S. Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, at 12:45 p.m.; Missouri Chestnut Roast Fact Hunt; and a straw bale maze.

The Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center is the site of the 1819 Thomas Hickman house, one of the state’s oldest intact brick houses, which is currently undergoing an historic rehabilitation. Tours will be available throughout the day.

There will be guided bus and walking tours of the research center for those interested in learning more about agroforestry practices.

The event wraps up National Chestnut Week, which runs Oct. 12-18.

Admission to the Missouri Chestnut Roast is free. Most activities will take place under tents for comfort rain or shine. Service animals are permitted at the roast, but pets are not allowed.
For directions and a schedule of the day’s events check out the website or contact Julie Rhoads at 573-882-3234 or rhoadsj@missouri.edu.