Richard Fischer
In Town: Richard Fischer is the co-owner and publisher of the White River Current, a newspaper covering western Izard and southern Baxter counties, in Arkansas. He is also the market manager of the Calico Rock Farmers’ Market, an April-through-October market open at the corner of State Highways 5 and 56 in Calico Rock, Ark.
In the Country: Richard and his mother, Barbara, operate Merrythought Farm, a caprine (goat) dairy farm. They also raise and breed chickens, turkeys and waterfowl. Richard moved onto the farm in 2005 to help his elderly mother, who had been running the farm single-handedly for more than 15 years. “Mom was born in Little Rock, so she considers herself an Arkansan,” Richard said, “But I (was raised) in Illinois.” Barbara returned to Arkansas and purchased the farm in 1987.
What do you do as a newspaper publisher?
White River Current was about to go out of business in 2007, after almost a century of operation, so in June of that year, Richard and a local retired friend, Charles Francis, bought it. “We felt it was important for Calico Rock to (continue to) have a newspaper,” he said. Richard and Charles share publisher responsibilities.
Is there a lot of responsibility involved with being a farmers’ market manager?
“Some, but it is not particularly burdensome. The market is now in its third year, and has over 15 registered vendors, all of whom pay a $5 registration fee each spring, but no other expenses.” The farmers’ market is sponsored by a local economic development group, and Richard’s job is to manage the market on behalf of the group.
By OFN Staff
