We are pleased to announce we will be heading into our 5th Market Season in 2012. A very special thanks to all our vendor and supporters throughout the years and we hope you are planning now to join us for the 2012 season. As we consider the 2012 season we would like to share some of the benefits of a community farmers market.

Why shop at a Farmers Market? Farmers markets have a number of benefits one in particular being they are a great resource for fresh nutritious foods. As Americans look for healthier options for the dinner table farmers markets can provide a number of fresh fruits, vegetable, greens, and herbs as well as farm fresh meats and eggs. With the assistance of programs such as the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program community markets are offering seniors and lower income households access to these fresh nutritious foods as well.

Why participate as a vendor at a Farmers Market? Have you considering growing a garden, but not sure what to do with all that produce? Farmers markets are a great opportunity sell your produce. Whether you are a hobbyist gardener with smaller raised beds or a large producer with acres of plants the farmers market is open weekly for you to sell your fresh produce to people looking for healthier fresh items. At the Community Farmers Market of Owen County we allow vendors to contract for the entire 24 week market season, for half the season, or weekly so vendors have the flexibility to participate as they'd like or have produce available.

But it's not just about the gardens, farmers markets also provide vending opportunities to livestock and egg producers, herb growers, flower growers and nurseries, and value-added items such as breads, cookies, muffins, and other food items.

Why become a grower? Growing and producing farmers market type items can be both rewarding and challenging. Some of the benefits include: food production, exercise, environmental restoration, increased property value, and education. You make it a family adventure! Gardening, livestock care, and preparing baked goods gives children a chance to learn important life skills and can even teach business or job skills when selling the products they prepared. If you live in town growing a community garden is also a great opportunity to gather friends, family, or neighbors to grow healthy community relationships.

We hope YOU will help GROW the Community Farmers Market of Owen County by participating as a vendor and as a customer during the 2012 season. We are will be hosting a vendors meeting soon to answer all your market questions.

New Advisory Group looking for Volunteers

This year, the Market is forming an advisory or Friend's of the Market group for those you who do not have time to be on the Board of Director but would like to help with the Market or plan activities. If you're interested, please send us a message.

Host a workshop during the market

We are looking for volunteers to do an education workshop during the market season. These workshops could be on gardening, crafts, cooking, raising livestock, nutrition or any educational topic related to the market goals of fosters the connection between our food, our culture, our land and our environment. If you would like to host a workshop please contact Andrea M or by mail at PO Box 650, Spencer, IN 47460.

Do you use Facebook or Twitter?

Community Farmers' Market of Owen County is now on Facebook and Twitter. Join/Follow us for vendor item updates, entertainment notices, and other market happenings.