Fertile land, micro-businesses growing into viable entities and community intersect at farm markets and farm stores. Families, fun, a curve of learning about where food comes from. The growing appeal of buying local and knowing where products originate is not to be stopped. Consumers have a mind of their own. A market can lead to a niche at a farm store or specialty shop. Or learning about more opportunities and upcoming events.
First step to cultivation of a market? Telling your story to get people's attention and building on that. For some entrepreneurs, that can mean being part of a farmers market. After all, there's a mix of visitors plus established vendors with whom to network and swap information.

In related news, how about this for an innovative idea to connect people with locally-grown food. The Danbury Farmer's Market Community Collaborative, a 30 agency organization, has launched a matching voucher program for low-income veterans, a pilot project of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the only program of its kind in the country. The market organizers strive to provide “equitable access to fresh fruits and vegetables for all” by doubling the value of food assistance programs and providing better transportation. Free bus passes to the market, food tasting, blood pressure checks, health and fitness activities in addition to market vendors.

To showcase what they grow, make, offer to visitors, Beltane Farm, East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Foxon Park Beverages, Killam & Bassette Farmstead, LLC, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, Mystic Seaport, Ola! Foods, Nestlé Waters, Stew Leonard's, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., White Oak Farm and Table, Back East Brewing Company, Broad Brook Brewing, Willimantic Brewing Company, Cambridge House Brew Pub of Granby, Olde Burnside Brewing, Thomas Hooker Brewery, The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, The Mark Twain House & Museum PEZ Candy, Inc., Pepperidge Farm, Palmieri Foods, Tantaquidgeon Museum, Marco Pizzeria took part in the first Discover Connecticut event in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Connecticut State Society, a club that allows people from the state working on Capitol Hill and for federal agencies to socialize, and held at the Russell Senate Office Building. Senator Chris Murphy and Senator Richard Blumenthal support the event.

The local food movement is more than a trend among many consumers – it is becoming a way of life, one that presents farmers with new business opportunities. But the path for know-how and infrastructure to get going is not always clear. A new Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) “Farm to Table: Building Local and Regional Food Systems” can help provide access to materials to join the movement. Resources include: Business Issues, Marketing and Markets, Distribution and Aggregation, Food Safety, Food Processing, Strong Communities, and Training Resources for Practitioners. Here's the link to the SARE. Topics are listed in the Learning Center section under topic rooms.

For an example of a digital portal that is easy to use and features farm markets and shops plus government and business services, visit data.ny.gov, New York State's newly re-designed site that is optimized for mobile use and smart phones.


Market managers, head's up. Market goers can cast a vote for their favorite market in the 5th annual American Farmland Trust (AFT) “I Love My Farmers Market Celebration” – part of AFT's dedication to spotlight U.S.A farm and ranches and keep farmers on the land.

The Top 100 most celebrated markets will receive a special logo honoring their achievement, “No Farms, No Food” gear, and publicity in the form of national exposure on the celebration’s website. Deadline to cast a vote is midnight, Sept. 13. Other ways to spread the word is to ask for a free “No Farms No Food” bumper sticker; share a story or photo, and Facebook views on why saving family farms is important to you. For ideas to raise the visibility of your market, contact Robert Connelly, manager of membership and special gifts, at (202) 378-1255.

For farm and land leases, jobs, etc., visit the New England Small Farms Institute which also features a LandLink page linked here.

A Small Farm Dream: Is Starting and Agricultural Business Right for You? program on the site is designed to help aspiring farmers learn what it takes to start and mange a commercial agricultural businesses – and see if this is the right path before taking the plunge.

More happenings on our Farm Markets/Eats page.