As part of my Fundamentals in Online Journalism course here at Ohio University, each student has been charged with creating a journalistic blog about an inspired topic. I've chosen to write about the Athens Farmers Market, or more specifically, what it means to the Athens community and the interdependence between vendors and consumers.
I'm always searching for new tips on how to "go green" and modify daily behavior to promote sustainability, so in continuing with a personal interest of mine, I was eager to learn more about the local farmers market. While many people are drawn to shop at farmers markets because the food is local and fresher, produce is also often organically-grown. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, organic farming focuses on:
"renewable resources, soil and water conservation, and management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological balance."Now, some insight into the Athens Farmers Market...
About the Farmers Market
Located in the University Mall parking lot on East State Street, the Athens Farmers Market offers a variety of locally-produced produce, meat, baked goods, flowers and bedding plants. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and on Wednesdays from April to December; however, the market's busiest season is from May through October with around 40-60 participating vendors each Saturday and about half the amount on Wednesdays, market manager Sarah Conley said.The market is currently in its 36th year of operation and while it is still used only for selling by the producers themselves, it has grown substantially since its humble beginnings in 1972 when there were only a handful of vendors. In 2001, the market became an official non-for-profit organization and members drafted the following purpose statement:
"The Athens Farmers Market shall operate on a not for profit basis. It shall serve its members and the public through education on the benefits to the community that result from supporting a locally based food economy and by providing a public market allowing direct connections between producers and consumers of local food and agricultural products."
(Anyone interested in the detailed history should check out the market's extensive history web page by Dave Gutknecht and John Millar.)
Currently, market manager Conley is the only paid staff person. Her on-site job duties include setting up and tearing down vendors' stalls in addition to parking vendors. She also works off-site coordinating membership, advertising for the market and maintaining the markets' various social service programs.
The market has been located at the University Mall site since 1999. The agreement was rent-free until this year - now the market leases the space from University Mall owners in exchange for month-to-month rental payment. Conley said the market is presently looking for a permanent site such as a pavilion or similar sort of structure.
Posts
3 comments:
First off, I have to admit that I've never been to the Farmers Market, despite the fact that i DO think buying local is a great way to help the environment. Have you found any information as to how much energy is used to ship from all over the world? I think it's interesting that we as Americans expect to have food, in the winter for example, that can't be grown here. We have the mindset that we should be able to have any fruit and vegetable at any time of the year, regardless of where it will have to be shipped from. Have you ever thought about eating strictly local foods? I wonder how much your diet would change... I think it would be interesting to attempt to eat this way for a week. Would we be able to get the food that we love? Probably not... but then again maybe that's a change we need to make in our lifestyles.
The blog look's good- I think this is finally the motivation I need to get out to the Market before leaving Athens for good! I look forward to reading more.
Hi Jessica,
I really enjoyed your first post — there's a lot of information there! Like Jenny, I haven't been to the Market either, but I've been meaning to go before I graduate. Do you have a favorite vendor there? When you've gone, do you see a lot of the same customers — is it mostly townies or students? I heard a rumor a while back about the Farmer's Market being moved, do you know anything about that? Also, has the Market always been in front of University Mall? It could be neat to see pictures from the beginning to the present or to talk to a vendor who has been there since the beginning of the Market. Good first post! I think it will be interesting to follow a farmer to see the whole process, so I'll be looking forward to that post.
Angie
Jessica,
Nice post! back groud looks really cool like your topic. Your first post has so much information. I guess it would be nice to compare the produce availbale in the Athens Farmers Market and general market. I guess a few quotes from vendors or shoppers, are there anybody who can narrate from the start? How about having a few closeup picture of the produe available in the market?
Thanks,
Hari
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