Photo by Lisa Munniksma
American Farmland Trust is fete the work and dedication of Farmer who trade atnational Farmer ’ marketsthrough its America ’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest and the launch of an on-line leader - board of the top 20 Farmer ’ marketplace in each of the four categories : boutique , small , intermediate and prominent markets . Up - to - the minute results have been cover throughout the month of August . check that you get you vote in soon — the contest closes on Aug. 31 , 2010 .
“ accord to the USDA , thenumber of farmer ’ marketshas increased 16 per centum in the past year . People who have voted in the contest so far have tell us that they are excited about their local farmers ’ marketplace , whether it has five vendors or 50 , and they like the opportunity to get to know the hoi polloi who produce their intellectual nourishment , ” says Jane Kirchner , AFT ’s senior director of marketing and communication . “ It ’s clear to me that consumer are fuel the growth in farmers ’ markets . ”
AFT ’s America ’s Favorite Farmers Markets competition is design to promote the value offarmers ’ marketsin communities and helps make the connexion between refreshful local food and the farms and farmland that supply them . America has been losing more than an acre of farm and spread land every bit to development , and farmer ’ markets can wreak a critical character in the economic health of farm , helping to keep farmland in agrarian output by giving them a venue to deal their mathematical product .
“ Farmers ’ markets offer different opportunities — for Farmer it may be a new venue to put into the marketing mix for their operation , or a way to tapdance into the note value - added market , ” Kirchner adds . “ For consumers , it ’s about fresh , local food and community . For AFT , it ’s an opportunity to bring home the message that we must work to protect America ’s farm and ranch land that makes intelligent food , healthy farm and salubrious communities possible . ”
This summer , thousands of individuals have vote for more than 1,200 farmers markets enroll in the contest , comprise 49 states and Washington , D.C. The website is update after every visit , so you could watch participant race to the finish line . To vote , visit theAFT contest Sir Frederick Handley Page .
