Your source for fruit and vegetable news
Latest News
Blogs/Links
Features
Classifieds
USDA study tracks increase in farmers markets numbers
Grayson & Emma's Garden Spot in Courtland is among several area farmers markets that have opened in the last five years as a result of the popularity of "buying local."
By Bobbie Whitehead
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s marketing service released in September the latest number of farmers markets it has tracked, showing growth by 6.8 percent since mid-August 2006.
The news comes at a time when traditional crop growers worry about what they’ll plant for next year.
In 2006, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service listed 4,385 markets. That figure has increased to 4,685 as of August 2008, according to a USDA press release.
“More and more consumers are discovering the wide array of fresh, locally grown produce available at farmers markets,” said AMS Administrator Lloyd Day in a press release.
“Another reason for their popularity is food buyers like the opportunity to interact with the producers.”
Since 1994 when the USDA began tracking farmers markets, the trend has been growth, and the number of markets tracked has grown by about 3,000, Day said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s marketing service released in September the latest number of farmers markets it has tracked, showing growth by 6.8 percent since mid-August 2006.
The news comes at a time when traditional crop growers worry about what they’ll plant for next year.
In 2006, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service listed 4,385 markets. That figure has increased to 4,685 as of August 2008, according to a USDA press release.
“More and more consumers are discovering the wide array of fresh, locally grown produce available at farmers markets,” said AMS Administrator Lloyd Day in a press release.
“Another reason for their popularity is food buyers like the opportunity to interact with the producers.”
Since 1994 when the USDA began tracking farmers markets, the trend has been growth, and the number of markets tracked has grown by about 3,000, Day said.
Farmers markets usage could become an option for some growers, but some agricultural experts aren’t sure what will happen on a larger scale for traditional crops farmers in the area.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of farmers going out of business this year,” said Wes Alexander, Southampton County agricultural extension agent.
The Agricultural Marketing Service continues to track farmers markets, listing them on the National Directory of Farmers Markets, which can be found at http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets.
Since the AMS updates the farmers market directory frequently, state, local or individual markets can send their information to Velma Lakins, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, at velma.lakins@usda.gov.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of farmers going out of business this year,” said Wes Alexander, Southampton County agricultural extension agent.
The Agricultural Marketing Service continues to track farmers markets, listing them on the National Directory of Farmers Markets, which can be found at http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets.
Since the AMS updates the farmers market directory frequently, state, local or individual markets can send their information to Velma Lakins, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, at velma.lakins@usda.gov.
| Seed Companies |
| NC Markets |
| VA Markets & Roadside Stands |
| Community Supported Agriculture |
| NC Markets & Roadside Stands |
| VA Markets & Roadside Stands 2 |
| Calendar |
| Market Nonproduce Products |
| Planting Zones |
| Garden Tips |
| Disclosure |
| Fruit and Veggie Info |
| Events/People |
| Gardening How To |