Tis the season, the farmers market season that is. Anyone that knows me has a pretty good idea where to find me on a Saturday morning – at the farmers market.
I’ve visited over 100 farmers markets across the United States and Spain. But, most visits have been to markets right here in Missouri. I started my market travels almost 5 years ago and since have found that visiting new markets and agritourism destinations have become a way of life for my family. We enjoy taking our son to markets, pick-your-own farms and to visits with local farmers whom I interview. Through the years we have made very close friends through our farm visits.
Last Saturday, while visiting the Greater Springfield Farmers Market, my son plopped down in a chair next to two meat vendors to make himself comfortable. My friends Nancy and Greg, who sell their meat products at the market laughed and Nancy said, “Well Caston I’m sorry I don’t have any spoons or pans for you to play with today. Guess you and momma will have to come for another visit to the farm soon.”
As we strolled on down the row of local farm stalls, we stopped in to purchase some bacon and sausage from Steve and Jane and before I could say hello, Mr. Steve whipped Caston up and sat him on his lap. As Steve and Caston counted coins, Jane wrapped up my purchases and threw in a special treat for my son – Thank You Steve and Jane.
Another stop to pick some spinach and other vegetables landed me in the middle of questions about a side project that I am participating in this summer called, The Market Lady. “Where’s your next filming at Market Lady,” asked Brad. The Market Lady is a grant funded project to teach consumers how to cook locally using farm products from the Ozarks. This summer I’m traveling to 30 farmers market to film a cooking show and conduct interviews with farmers that sell products at local farmers markets. The overall purpose is to teach consumers about the farmers that grow, harvest and sell farm products.
Growing up in the ag industry, it might be hard to understand the concept of “putting a face to your food,” but when I have to explain to a middle school student that milk comes from cows and that a tomato comes from a plant that a farmer grows – not from the grocery store shelf – we have a major educational gap to restore in our country.
That’s the purpose of The Market Lady – to advocate for our farmers and help consumers better understand where their food comes from. Videos will be aired on local t.v. news stations in the Ozarks, online and with help of Missouri State University’s Darr School of Agriculture.
But, it takes all of us in the ag community to help mend the educational gap consumers have between “field to plate.” I encourage each of you to take time to talk to consumers when the opportunity presents itself- advocate for agriculture. Tell them how we care for our livestock, our production and conservation efforts and why agriculture is so important to the economy of our state and our food system.
Speaking of fresh food, here’s a perfect recipe for the farmers market season and just in time for strawberry pickin’!
