Author: D.W.

Report from Center for Rural Affairs on USDA impact on mid-size farms

An excellent report to view return on investment (ROI as it is known in the philanthropy and corporate world) for USDA and to see where the support has gone.

With this (2006) study, we seek to better understand how key USDA grant and research programs are serving beginning and small and mid-size farms and ranches, and what steps might be taken to improve these programs or develop new solutions to enhance farm profitability and rural community success.

The Impact and Benefits of USDA Research and Grant Programs to Enhance
Mid-Size Farm Profitability and Rural Community Success Download Report

Published on Center for Rural Affairs (http://www.cfra.org)

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Nova Scotia approves private salmon farms in lobster grounds, pushes out lobster fishermen

I find that commercial fishing families have almost no support or organizations that speak for their needs. Point seems proven once again in Nova Scotia:
Story

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How Goldman Sachs created the food crisis

Story

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Sirens go off as levees fail

Water. Too much here, not enough there.
I feel for these residents. I know the feeling of leaving rising water behind.
What I know is much of the water is seeping into the poorest areas and the least politically connected counties and states. Back of town, the wrong side of the tracks or under the hill, these nicknames usually mean disaster sooner or later.

ND levee failure

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New Orleans dairy farmers suffer explosion on farm

No injuries, but significant damage to the anchor (and beloved) dairy farmers at the New Orleans markets.I guarantee that the Crescent City Farmers Market staff will work overtime to find ways to communicate ongoing issues and needs on behalf of the farmers to the larger community. No doubt they will remember this tough break and continue to look for ways to support all of their vendors in trying times.
Good example of why markets matter to vendors.
dairy explosion

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Fleas welcome

Flea markets are fascinating to people watch at and someday we’ll figure out how they and open-air farmers markets are related.Like any public market geek, I follow the flea market news regularly and years ago, set up at a venerable old one in Ohio (Hartville for those of you in Buckeye Land). Wow, was that fascinating…. The pre-dawn culture was even more traditional than any farmers market I have watched. Of course, that market had been running for over 60 years…
It is also my honor to count among my friends, Cree McCree author of “Flea Market America” and a regular art and flea market maven here in New Orleans. (I call her Cree McCree, Godmother of Flea).

Cree McCree's book. available for purchase everywhere


She was a prized Festivus vendor of mine (when I ran both farmers markets and a holiday fair trade market from 2002-2007 for marketumbrella.org). She is always working to find new venues and ideas to get more street vending out there.
Maybe we’ll even see a true producer-only farmers market and a criteria-based flea market in the same location with the same manager. Why not?
Their missions may be different from farmers markets, but its easy to see some similarities:
1. Many flea markets have rules about products that can be sold.This is often to keep out dangerous goods, but in any case, it speaks to the need for a manager/organizer curating the deal.
2. They have return shoppers and regular vendors.
3. There is a decidedly social air about them.
4. They attract a wide range of shoppers.

Here’s an example of one that works to engineer a total experience:

Uvalde Market Days will be open for shoppers on June 25th, 2011

It is one of the most unique open air markets in southwest Texas
June 15, 2011- Hundreds of dealers showcase their merchandize in tree shaded park. The visitors can enjoy shopping at Uvalde Market Days in the afternoons.
Visitors can enjoy music while they shop. The dealers at the market will be displaying huge variety of arts and crafts, plants, jewelry, wearable, collectibles, home décor, antiques, carpets, kitchen accessories, clothes, hats for men, women & children and lot more.
Uvalde Market Days is open for public on every fourth Saturday of the month.
It is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
It is located at:
Uvalde Plaza
Main Street And North Getty
Uvalde, Texas
Parking and admission is absolutely free.

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Comparisons are important

I am amazed at how many markets have never done a price comparison or used this idea and bought fast food and then compared it to the cost of a farmers market meal.
Try it, it’s a great way to bridge your market to new people. Or just use this link on your site:

Comparisons

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Kids lemonade stand shut down and fined

Remember these kids when your vendors complain about market rent…

Lemondade stand

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Mobile-probably. Market?

I wrote a greenpaper that is available on marketumbrella.org’s website about the lack for balance in mobile markets. I should have taken more issue with the name and the sustainability of them as some are not that mobile and some, many are not truly markets if you term that in the same vein as farmers markets (meaning competition) or if you believe Wikipedia:
For a market to be competitive, there must be more than a single buyer or seller. It has been suggested that two people may trade, but it takes at least three persons to have a market, so that there is competition on at least one of its two sides.[1] However, competitive markets rely on much larger numbers of both buyers and sellers. A market with single seller and multiple buyers is a monopoly. A market with a single buyer and multiple sellers is a monopsony. These are the extremes of imperfect competition.
It’s possible that a mobile truck could serve well as a long-term grocery store in some remote areas where resources especially capital and electricity are limited. Check out the briefs from The Center for Rural Affairs on rural grocery stores:
cfra

What I find though, is that mobile markets are another example of the industrial food system expecting to change little while getting the credit that they are feeding needy people. Sure they are getting food out there, but the mobility is overstated in some cases and as far as I know have not been shown to make long-term changes in food insecurity or to necessarily support growers or small businesses (Even with this headline generously given to it by HuffPost: Next Level Food Trucks: MoGro Eliminates Food Deserts). What is true to me is that they could serve a very important purpose, just like a buying club can or a food security farmers market does (that term comes from an emerging typology of markets, more coming soon on that…) by priming the pump for food system changes, if they would work hand in hand with farmers and potential market or store organizers.
This story is fascinating; check out where the guy worked before retiring and starting this project:
MoGro

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Getting Real

RIP Chris Bedford, Michigan activist and filmmaker.

Getting Real about Food & the Future from Christopher B. Bedford on Vimeo.

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Vermont Enhancing Farmers Markets with Evaluation Tools

What: Enhancing Farmers’ Markets with Evaluation Tools
When: Monday June 20. 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Conference Room, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT
Note: We will provide coffee, tea, and light refreshments
Led by Market Trainer/Researcher Darlene Wolnik, sponsored by NOFA-VT

http://classic.mapquest.com/embed#b/maps/m:map:5:44.259818:-72.584116::::::1:1:::::::::/l::116+State+St:Montpelier:VT:05602-2706:US:44.26122:-72.58032:address::1:::/e

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Michael Pollan explains food chains

A great video to embed on your market websites or in your email newsletters. Simply explained for many audiences.

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A town’s new agricultural plan

Thanks to our friends the Greenhorns (well in the way that all farmers are our friends, not like we share a car or anything like that), we heard about this town named Cato in New York that has adopted a comprehensive agricultural plan to preserve farmland for the future. The town has 13 strategies, including conservation easements, the adoption of a Right-To-Farm Law and changes in zoning.
Read about it on the Greenhorns site “The Irresistible Fleet of Bicycles” where they blog well about food and community.

Cato NY

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