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

Washington County Market Podcast

The Washington County Farmers' Markets, located in Potosi, offers the community a wide array on fun while shopping at the market and some wonderful home-grown goodness.

I've visited this market a couple of times and have always appreciated the community support of the market and the knowledgeable vendors at the market.

Julie Harker with Brownfield made a recent market stop and talked to a few of the vendors about growing a garden for market and what makes this market so special.

Market Trip to the Southwest

Our Marketing Specialist Tony Anderson has been busy this summer visiting markets acorss the state, learning from our market masters and vendors. Here is a recap from a trip to southwest Missouri:

On Wednesday, July 29 I attended three markets in southwest Missouri. First I headed down to Aurora, 30 miles south of Springfield on Hwy 60. On Wednesdays and Saturdays the Aurora Local Farmers’ Market and the Open Farmers Market of Aurora both set up in Oak Park. On that Wednesday, both markets had approximately 12 vendors each, with a full array of summer fruits and vegetables.

I spent time talking with Deb Lane, who is a long-time vendor of both markets. She was also the founder of the Open Farmers Market. She gave me some of the history of the farmers’ markets and also spoke about some of their future plans. However, what was most fascinating was talking with Deb about her jams and jellies. I think she can make a jam out of anything. By checking out her booth, you can see what I mean. She has the usual fruit jams and jellies, but she also has coffee jelly, soft drink jellies like Coke and Mountain Dew, black walnut jelly, and spiced pickled watermelon rind jelly. This only scratches the surface; she said she can get 4 different products out of one batch of peaches, by using the skins, fruit, and pits. I was just wondering, if she made jam out of Colgate, could I kill two birds in the morning by eating it on my toast? Never mind.

I also spent time talking with Steve Madewell of Madewell Meats. In addition to his usual trailer of meats, he also had a trailer full of watermelons, cantaloupe, corn and peaches. While we were talking, Steve gave me a peach to eat. I told him he was a great salesman, because before I left I had to buy a whole bag of those peaches. (As a side note, I think I’m getting close to eating my body weight in peaches this season, but I’m not complaining they have all been wonderful.)

After leaving Aurora, I headed back north to the Fair Grove Farmers Market. Fair Grove is 15 minutes north of Springfield on Hwy 65. The Fair Grove market only meets on Wednesdays from 3:30-7:00. This year is their 10th anniversary. Fair Grove is a lively market with twice as many vendors as they have room for under their pavilion. Fair Grove also won the 2009 Market of the Year award for “Best Event” with their Growing Kids Club. In addition to those activities they were also having a corn roast fundraiser.

I spent some time talking with market managers Jim Gulick of the Berry Patch and Deb Van Benthusen of Deb’s Gourds. After that I grabbed some blackberries from Pate’s orchard, to wash down the peaches, and headed back to Jefferson City. Another great day visiting markets around Missouri.

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.)

Taste of the Market “Appeteazer”

Join the Columbia Farmers’ Market on Friday, July 10 at 6:00 PM for the "Taste of the Market Appeteazer" at the PS Gallery. Local chefs will prepare culinary treats from local foods just for you. Be sure an mark your calendars for the Taste of the Market Event, Saturday, August 1.

RSVP by July 8 to 573-823-FOOD. For more information go to the Columbia Farmers’ Market webpage.

A Buzz-Worthy Meal

Courtesy of Sauce Magazine
Here’s an interesting fact: Pollinators like bees make one out of every three bites of food we eat. No wonder they always look so busy! To raise awareness of the importance of pollination in the whole food cycle, next week is National Pollinator Week at the Saint Louis Zoo. Foodies will bee (sorry, couldn’t resist) most interested a pollinator dinner on Tuesday, where many of the foods pollinators help provide will be on the menu. Before dinner, sip mead (honey wine) and honey beer at the cash bar and enjoy a honey tasting.

After dinner, hear a presentation on pollinators by Ed Spevak, the zoo's curator of the insects. In between there’s a buffet that includes seasonal fruit and salads, trout almandine with lemon and fried capers, roast pork loin, grilled herbed chicken with honey mustard glaze, and a host of vegetables and desserts – honey bee vanilla ice cream anyone?

Sauce pick: Pollinator Dinner
Where to get it: Tue., June 23 – 6 to 9 p.m., Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis
Price: $29.95 for adults, $20 for children 12-and-under. All proceeds benefit the zoo.
Info: For reservations, call 314.646.4857.

Farmers' Markets Bloom at Hospitals

Some hospitals around the country have gone on a diet: Deep fryers have gone cold, trans fats have been banished, and the glow of the golden arches (and other fast food symbols) have dimmed as leases have quietly gone unrenewed.

Instead, these hospitals are offering an alternative food source: farmers markets.

Read the full story here.

What’s Cooking in Columbia

Check out What’s Cooking in Columbia (information provided by Columbia Farmers’ Market news release)

While it is still early in the season, much is happening at the Columbia Farmers' Market located in the parking lot of the ARC at the corner of West Ash Street and Clinkscales Road.

Now available during Wednesday’s market are cheeses from Goatsbeard Farm and fresh grilled burgers from Missouri Legacy Beef. Always a favorite, it is great to be able to purchase the award winning goat cheeses at market during the week. The fresh grilled burgers are terrific for a quick dinner or take home a bunch for a late night snack. Missouri Legacy Beef is easy to find, just follow that heavenly grill aroma!

The Columbia Farmers' Market is proud to sponsor the second annual Made to Order Omelet Fundraiser for the Culinary Arts Department of the Columbia Area Career Center. All proceeds to benefit the Culinary Arts Department's two state winning students who will compete at the National SkillsUSA competition. The Made to Order Omelet event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 starting at 8 am. Eggs and other ingredients will be sourced from Columbia Farmers' Market vendors.

Monday’s and Wednesday’s market is now open 4 pm to 6 pm. Saturday’s market is open 8 am to noon with live performances from 9 am to 11 am. The Columbia Farmers' Market has received many awards from the AgriMissouri and the Missouri Farmers' Market Association, such as Best Marketing Idea, Best Motto - 2008 and the Market of the Year in 2004.

For more information about the happenings and vendors of the Columbia Farmers' Market please call the market office at 573-823-6889.

Wellness Wednesdays: Another Healthy Alternative at City Market

Shoppers who find themselves in need of additional produce come mid-week or are somewhat intimidated by the City Market’s crowds on Saturdays and Sundays, have another healthy alternative with the Wednesday Farmers’ Market. Access to healthy, locally grown produce has never been easier! Every Wednesday, shoppers can find:

· Fresh, locally grown produce from nearby farms
· SNAP/EBT/VISON cards and WIC vouchers accepted with participating farmers
· Fast, convenient lunch options for budget conscious shoppers
· Easy access, take the MAX or ATA Bus line
· Free Parking

The first Wednesday of each month through October, the Wednesday Market features an expanded Wellness Wednesday component from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. In addition to the weekly farmers’ market, shoppers will benefit from:

· Valuable health & wellness screenings for adults & children, including blood pressure, blood sugar screens and body mass index measurements
· Useful information from area community health organizations
· Every month, the first 100 shoppers at Wellness Wednesdays will receive a free reusable shopping bag

Take that first step toward improving your health and the health of your family. Stop by the City Market for Wellness Wednesdays. (Press release courtesy of the City Market.)

Newman Farm Agri-Culinary Tour

On Saturday, June 13th, Newman Farm Heritage Berkshire Pork will be hosting the annual Newman Farm University Agri-Culinary Tour, an open house tour and a Gate-to-Plate dinner featuring swine and wine.

Experience a one-day Agri-Culinary tour of Newman Farm in the scenic Ozarks of Southern Missouri, where modern farming techniques meet traditional production methods. Newman Farms’ “University” will give you insight into the uniqueness of Newman Farm Heritage Berkshire Pork, by allowing you to experience first hand why the farm is different.

A meat cutting demonstration will be conducted and the experience culminates in a "Gate-to-Plate" dinner featuring Berkshire pork from Newman Farm. The sessions welcome and encourage open discussion among food lovers and chefs about what they think a quality pork product should be.

For more information about attending the event or to interview representatives from Newman Farm or HFAC, please contact me at 646-277-7110 or katrina@gita-group.com.

View the list of chefs attending.

Columbia Farmers' Market Video Podcast 1

Farmers' markets around the state began upcoming up about three weeks ago - and shoppers couldn't wait for the fresh and local choices from local growers.

Throughout the season we will be filming at markets all over the state. Viewers will see the "inside" scoop on Missouri markets. The first video is from April 4 at the Columbia Farmers' Market.

White House Garden

A garden at the White House…now that’s what I like to hear! Not since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II has there been a garden at the White House, according to the New York Times.

The organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at a time when obesity and diabetes have become a national concern.

Read the entire New York Times article here.

Victory Gardens are popping up everyone across Missouri as well. I've received 7 calls just last week with folks that are interested in starting community gardens.

Powell Gardens Promoting Local

Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, is opening a new 12-acre expansion in mid-June. The Heartland Harvest Garden will focus on where our food comes from, and we will be growing more than 2,000 varieties of food plants. Powell Gardens is bringing back several food festivals and will be looking for local produces to source local produce this season such as sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers pumpkins, apple butter, winter squash, apples and much more!

Powell Gardens is looking for the names of farmers who might be interested in two things: supplying Powell Gardens with extra produce to serve to visitors on the food festival days, and bringing produce to sell to visitors.

Farmers that are interested in providing produce or other value-added local food products should contact Jill Draper, Marketing Associate with Powell Gardens at 816-697-2600 extension 207.

The following is the 2009 Powell Garden Schedule:

The Heartland Harvest Garden
In June of 2009, Powell Gardens will open the largest expansion in its history—the $9.2 million Heartland Harvest Garden. What began as a simple plan to bring back a vegetable garden well-loved by visitors in the early days of Powell Gardens has evolved into the nation’s largest edible landscape; a place to reconnect with where food comes from and to celebrate the pleasures of eating well. Set on 12 acres, the Heartland Harvest Garden illustrates in spectacular style the journey of food from seed to plate.

The Entrance Gardens
Visitors to the Heartland Harvest Garden will use all five senses to explore the garden treasures to be found within. A visit begins with the Menu Garden, an “appetizer,” if you will, for what lies further down the path. This garden is an example of a potager garden, a kitchen garden in the French country style. Vegetables, herbs and flowers mingle in a tapestry of colors and shapes that also provide food for the table. The adjacent Seed to Plate Greenhouse illustrates the miraculous process of germination and begins the explanation of where our food comes from.

In the Apple Celebration Court, visitors will follow a spiral brick path to encounter an amazing 54 varieties of apples. The Pear Promenade and Peach Plaza will be a delight as spring blossoms transition to delicious fruits ripening throughout the season.

Plantings in the Vineyard evoke images of the South of France and California wine country. Grapes of all types, from red wine to table grapes, will be planted with roses as a practical and beautiful companion. With gorgeous gates, trellises and water features, this space also will be available for private events.

Rotating exhibits in the Authors’ Garden will bring the philosophies of top garden writers to life. Rosalind Creasy, often credited with coining the “edible landscape” term and widely regarded as the leading expert on the topic, will be featured during the opening season. Creasy, who literally wrote the book on the subject with “The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping” published in 1982, has since published a series of 10 edible gardening books as well as a number of award-winning books on cooking from the garden. Barbara Damrosch, author of “The Garden Primer” and a columnist for The Washington Post, will design an adjacent space in the Authors’ Garden.

The Quilt Gardens
Inspired by the famous Villandry gardens in France, the Quilt Gardens will take advantage of the vast textures, architectural shapes and colors of crops, vegetables and fruits. They will be arranged in ever-changing quadrants symbolic of Midwestern fields and classic quilt patterns. Stunningly beautiful, the four, ¾-acre quadrants will serve as a display for the world’s food plants.

One quadrant, planted in a historic Old Missouri quilt pattern, will celebrate the crops of America’s breadbasket, showcasing corn, wheat and soybeans. The Kansas Star Quilt will display the grasses and legumes that feed our livestock. The Missouri Star Quilt is an orchard garden where visitors can pick up tips for growing fruits in their own backyards. The Villandry Quilt is a true vegetable garden inspired by the Renaissance castle gardens of the Chateau de Villandry. Combining beauty and utility, this garden clearly illustrates the beauty of edible plants.

The Missouri barn and its adjacent observation silo put a contemporary spin on traditional Missouri farm building silhouettes and blend with the Midwestern architecture style for which Powell Gardens is known. The barn houses a garden gift shop and outdoor café. Alongside the barn, the Kansas City Power & Light All Electric Kitchen will be home to cooking classes and chefs’ demonstrations. The adjacent Kitchen Garden will showcase a collection of culinary herbs and will give the home gardener plenty of inspiration for plants to grow throughout the seasons.

Youth Education Garden
For the first time, Powell Gardens will have a permanent garden space designed with kids in mind. The youth education garden will increase Powell Gardens’ capacity for school field trips but also offer discoveries and delights to casual visitors. The Water Conservation Courtyard allows for water play while teaching about wise water conservation practices. The Tutti Frutti Maze lets children run and explore in a maze of edible hedge plants. The Honeybee Haven offers an observation hive and teaches the importance of honeybees in the pollination process. Giant insect sculptures give children a place to climb while also introducing the concept of good bugs and bad bugs. An organic garden introduces the concepts of sustainable gardening and a small greenhouse offers space for hands-on lessons following the seed-to-plate theme.

The Fun Foods garden showcases the food plants behind some of children’s favorite treats—from marshmallows to popcorn. In the Living Off the Land area, children can explore a sod house and learn about the foods that sustained Native Americans.

Throughout the Heartland Harvest Garden visitors will have a chance to taste something fresh from the garden. Tasting stations will move with the seasons, ensuring that every visit will yield a new experience!

The Heartland Harvest Garden at Powell Gardens opens in mid-June with a Midwestern food and wine festival for members only, with the public opening the next day. Stay tuned for more details!

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

Day 3: Blogging from NAFDMA (Participation Day)

It’s the time to “Get Social.”

That seemed to be main focus of many of the sessions I participated in today’s convention. Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, Podcasts, You Tube) to name a few of the social media avenues that many folks might have heard about.

The first “techy” sessions I listened to was on Best Practices in Website. It was an open session where the folks from AKL Maui ( a lavender farm in Maui, Hawaii) presented information about their farm website and store. Then the entire group discussed new ideas for website marketing.

Some of the ideas where:
Have a box on each page of a website that offers visitor to join your mailing list because these names will help you retain clientele.
Include a blog link off your website.
Try adding videos and podcasts to your site so customers can see and get a feeling of your business.
Include seasonal photos and update them often.
Stay in contact with customers all year (not just during season) through a blog or e-newsletter.
Have a language button that can translate your site into another language, for foreign visitors.
Surveys for your customers.
Map link to the farm or market.

The other session I really enjoyed was about Online and Social Media. If you’re a Missouri producer – you’ve heard me say it a million times already – “If you have a business today…you better be online.”

This session was an overview on how direct marketers can incorporate social media into their current marketing campaign. Because let’s face it – social and online media are based on traditional marketing principals.

Ask yourself these questions:
What’s my operation goal?
How can I fit this into my existing communicational goals?
Is there others I can partner with?
Who is the customer I am marketing to?

More and more folks are doing everything online. Yesterday, I posted about culinary tourists – those that are searching for a unique experience they can’t find anywhere else. Those are your customers. Do you know how they are finding information about your farm or farmers’ market? Are they searching online for a market or CSA near them, are they looking for customer reviews about your farm online, are they reading your farm blog and leaving comments…you bet they are!

Technology today can be a little overwhelming with buzz words like (Tweet, Add me as your friend on Facebook, blogging, You Tube Videos….and on and on), but take it slow if you are new to this lingo.

Remember – People are talking everyday about your farm and market. Do you know what they are saying online? Positive word of mouth advertisement is the most powerful marketing of all. By you getting social on the internet you will be able to take part in this new media outlet and stay ahead of the game.

Try creating your own farm or market blog on Blogger or Typepad to start with. Then create a Facebook account. You can always ask other for help as well. I work with many farms, who’s children or grandchildren have helped the farm business get updated into the internet age. Or contact myself or one of your county extension agents as well.

In the meantime- get online and see what others in direct marketing are doing online. You can gather some great starting points from learning from others.

Read more about the NAFDMA Convention events.

Day 2: Blogging from NAFDMA (Culinary Tourism)

Culinary Tourism…not a word used much across Missouri, but things are changing.

This was the discussion of today’s Education Day at NAFDMA. Culinary Tourism is the pursuit of unique and memorable culinary experiences of all kinds, often when traveling. These types of tourists are normally younger, better educated, highly affluent, visit museums and cultural sites and choose destinations for food and wine experiences. In simple terms: These are the people that want to put a face to their food.

Consumers today want to put a face to their food and what’s a better way to provide them with this need then to open up the farm or market for farm cooking demonstrations, pick your owns, or even progressive dinners.

Today’s “Foodie Tour” opened our eyes on the future possibilities of where the direct marketing industry is headed. We visited eight restaurants/stores around downtown Savannah today and learned about how the Savannah community is promoting culinary tourism to not only tourists, but to locals as well.

On the tour we visited:
Wright Square Cafe
Savannah Bee Company Honey House
Lady and Sons - Side note- I met Paula's Deen sons (Jamie and Bobby Deen) at the restaurant and had them sign a cookbook
Kitchens on the Square for cooking demonstrations
Mom & Nikki's Soul Food
Back in the Day Bakery
Leopold's Ice Cream
Polk's Fresh Market
The Distillery

Read more about the Foodie Tour at the NAFDMA Blog.

Buying Local a Trend...Really?

I found it amusing when I read a news article that Brownfield released a couple weeks ago (yes, I’m a little behind on posting this on the blog, as the holiday season has put me a bit behind). The article was a release from American Farm Bureau on the Top 5 Food Trends for 2008 and big surprise - buying local topped the list. I’m sure many local food producers will agree – 2008 was a record sales year!

So, whether you are a consumer or producer of local foods – get out and show your localvore roots in 2009!

Below is an excerpt from the news article on the Brownfield Network.

The American Farm Bureau is out with their Top 5 food trends of 2008. The biggest trend this year was to local foods, in fact the new Oxford American Dictionary’s word of the year is “locavore”, a person who seeks out and consumes locally grown food. Celebrity chefs were very popular and very influential this year. Another big trend, higher food prices as energy prices rippled through the industry. Food safety and traceability became a big issue as we lived through recalls of beef, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. Also gaining popularity in 2008, food companies listening to consumers Butterball, Wegmans, Starbucks and others changed product offerings in response to consumer feedback.

Looking ahead to 2009, AFBF’s Foodie News says consumers will continue to want to know where their food comes from supporting a growing farm-to-cuisine movement. The economic downturn will also prompt more cooking, baking and eating at home while restaurants will experience more order-splitting among dining companions. Restaurants will also go more high-tech to entice customers. For example, a couple of California restaurants have touch screens where you can place your order and then play video games. American Pinot Blanc will become “the wine” and chefs will make buckwheat the next “hot grain”.

Columbia Farmers' Market Calendars Now Available Online

Over the past year, local photographer Dan Hemmelgarn and his wife Melinda have met with twelve farmers to produce a unique local product: "Farm Hands -- A Tribute to the Hands that Feed Us." This special work of art is a calendar that depicts the pleasures and challenges of farming, with an understanding of what draws farmers to their work.

While Dan shot the photographs, Melinda interviewed farmers and their families. Each month shares the treasured relationships with land, animals, working outside in natureʼs beauty, and producing "good" food. The images of the farmers' hands -- in sepia tone-- are absolutely beautiful, and speak volumes. There is also a brief insight into the farmer's philosophy about our food system.

"The best part of capturing the images for the Farm Hands calendar was meeting and getting to know Columbia Farmersʼ Market members and hearing their stories," says Dan. "Of course the ultimate reward will be the benefits weʼll all enjoy when the market has a permanent pavilion."
Calendars are on sale at the Columbia Farmers' Market Saturday mornings 8:00 a.m. till noon. Proceeds to benefit the Farmers' Market Pavilion Fund. Calendars make great holiday gifts, and this one's even better because it gives back to the Columbia community.

Dan and Melinda will be at the market to sign calendars on Saturday, October 4th between 9 and 11 a.m. The Columbia Farmersʼ Market is located at the corner of Ash Street and Clinksclaes Road in the ARC parking lot. The Columbia Farmersʼ Market was awarded best slogan, ʽthe Saturday morning place to be,ʼ by the Missouri Department of Agriculture , AgriMissouri and the Missouri Farmers' Market Association for 2008.

The calendars are available online or stop by the Market Oasis while shopping at the market.

Highly Successful State Fair Farmers’ Market

The Missouri Department of Agriculture along with the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association and AgriMissouri held the first ever Farmers’ Market at the 2008 Missouri State Fair the past two weeks. After 11 days of running the market in the Agriculture Building on the state fairgrounds the market brought in over $4,822.97 in sales and was a big hit at the fair. All funds raised will go back to the MDA to use for marketing and educational needs to promote the Missouri Farmers' Market industry.

Local produce was sold from eight different Missouri farmers’ market vendors and the market was utilized by fair campers, local Sedalia residents and fair visitors. More than 175,000 individuals came through the Buy Missouri…Buy Local, Eat Local….Got 4 It area during the fair. The area focused on the importance of supporting local farmers and forest product companies. The Buy Missouri area also offered visitors not only a farmers’ market where they could purchase local fruits and vegetables, but information on Agritourism operations and community markets around the state, an interactive area that included two computer set-ups where consumers could log on to the web and find a market near their home, plan their next Agritourism adventure, locate area forest companies and purchase local Missouri forestry products.

More than 37 volunteers, which included MDA staff, farmers’ market vendors and markets masters, forestry industry companies and Master Gardeners from around the state, donated their time to run the area throughout the fair.

Heirloom tomatoes from Fahrmeier Farms in Lexington were showcased and visitors could taste the freshness of Missouri through taste testing of more than six varieties of heirlooms. Other products sold included tomatoes, eggplant and cucumbers from Anderson Produce of Centertown, cantaloupe, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers from The Veggie Patch of Glasgow, peppers, grape tomatoes, onions from Fahrmeier Farms, sweet corn from Lowell Mohler of Jefferson City and David Kottman of Armstrong, watermelons from Freeman Farms in Tipton and peaches from Peach Tree Farms in Boonville and Rasa Orchard in Lexington.

The market not only provided a fun addition to the Agriculture Building this year, but educated consumers on the importance of buying local and eating healthy. In addition, a Missouri Farmers' Market Media Event was held on August 9 to promote Missouri Farmers' Market Week August 3-9, with a reading of a Proclamation by Director of Agriculture Don Steen.

The MDA is already underway planning for next year’s State Fair Farmers’ Market.

Take a look photos from the State Fair Farmers’ Market.

More Missourians Shopping at Farmers' Markets

The state Agriculture department said more Missourians are going to the local farmers' market for produce instead of the nearest mega store.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said our food travels an average of 1,500 miles from the farm to the grocery store.

State Department of Agriculture Marketing Specialist, Lane McConnell said food sold at Farmers' Markets travels a maximum of only a hundred and 50 miles.

"People are realizing now where their food is coming from," she said. "A lot of the produce that we get in grocery stores in certain areas isn't from Missouri. It isn't even from the United States, it's shipped in. And people are realizing the freshness and the value of buying local produce."

McConnell said prices at farmer's markets often rival those in grocery stores.

"What consumers have to remember that when they're shopping at a farmer's market even if the price is a little bit higher they're paying for that freshness and they're supporting their local economy and their local communities," she said.

McConnell said another reason to shop local is that eighty cents of every dollar spent at a Farmers' Market stays in the community.