Farmers market to debut Friday

Published 5:00 am Thursday, July 10, 2008

Talk of a farmers market for Lincoln County has been building,and local growers are so ready to get started they decided tosoft-launch the project a week early.

The first official Farmers Market will take place Friday inRailroad Park from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Officials of the Lincoln County Mississippi State UniversityExtension Service, the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber ofCommerce, and local produce growers met with special guests Dr. KenHood of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture Economics and MSUDepartment of Horticulture Professor Dr. David Nagle Wednesday totalk about ways to make a successful farmers market.

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When Lincoln County Extension Service Director Rebecca Batesannounced the initial opening date of July 18, several of thegrowers said they wanted to get started within days, saying many ofthem had planned for the first day to be July 11.

Officials conferred and agreed to give the first week the go-aheadfor those growers with produce ready to sell, with theunderstanding that Friday’s number of produce sellers would belower than what will normally be able to be expected. But, Batessaid, the growers who are not prepared to start this Friday will bethere in coming weeks, as many were planning to start a weeklater.

“It will take a few weeks to build up, and to get folks who knowabout it and can arrange their schedules to get there,” saidChamber Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield.

Farmers market organizers are aiming for a traditional market withlocal produce and herbs, and other things such as fresh-cutflowers, honeys, jams and jellies. Once the initial group ofinterested growers were contacted, Nagle and Hood were brought into brief them on what makes a successful farmers market.

Hood gave the growers an overview of the financial aspects of themarket, showing them figures on how much they can make in a marketenvironment versus selling to grocers.

According to Hood’s figures, 97 percent of people who attendfarmers markets said they give preference to produce billed asgrown locally.

“People are concerned about where their food comes from,” he said.”They’d rather buy something that they know where it comes from -they know you.”

Hood also gave the group tips on direct marketing and connectingwith their client base, saying a friendly farmers market is asuccessful one. In addition, he told the farmers to be on time, beready to go and be there consistently.

Nagle broke down the farming aspects, giving the producers tips ongrowing different vegetables, such as when to plant, how tofertilize and how to harvest for optimum freshness.

“Don’t grow what you like, grow what they want,” he said. “You haveto figure out what your customers want, then sell it to them.”

In addition, the group discussed measurements and units of sale,and how to package products to give market visitors a variety ofchoices. Nagle reinforced to them the importance of growing andselling multiple crops, even if they have one they feel is theirstrong point.

“The thing about it is you have one crop you get known for, but youalso have to grow and sell other things,” he said. “You won’t makea lot of money selling all of them, but think of the advantages ofselling 10 kinds of crops as opposed to four kinds.”

Brumfield said the farmers market will not only be a fun familyevent for Brookhaven and Lincoln County residents to attend eachweek and buy their produce, but it will also benefit the downtownarea and, obviously, the sellers.

“With the economy as it is, people are looking to get back tobasics,” he said. “Plus this will give you a chance to sell yourproduce without having to travel too far.”