2009 Agritourism Conference

At the 2009 Missouri Agritourism Conference you can explore everything from running school tours, retail shops, safety regulations, direct marketing taxes and more. Everyone from the beginning agritourism operator to the seasoned veteran should attend to network, visit the trade show and gain new ideas. For more info call 573-751-4339. For a full brochure with breakout sessions go to http://www.agrimissouri.com/agritourism.htm.

The conference will take place January 16-17, 2009 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Mo. A special room rate of $69/night has been established for the conference. To reserve your room, call 1-888-265-5500 and ask for the Agritourism January 2009 Conference.

Locally raised beef available...

Visit Reisner Ranch at www.reisnerbeef.com for more information on buying locally raised beef.
Available now: Freezer meet including steaks, hamburger, and roasts.
Taking orders for butchering in Feb.-March of 2009 - first come- first served.
Taking orders for butchering in October of 2009 and March of 2010.
More Dates could be added based on demand.

Dear Mr. President-Elect...

Read Michael Pollan's article "Farmer In Chief" from the New York Times, Oct. 12. Pollan presents strategies that a new administration could implement to create a healthier, more economically and environmentally sustainable food system in the U.S.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin

AmeriCorps VISTA job announcement

Interested in food and gardening?

• Help Dent County residents eat healthier
• Support new farm and food businesses
• Work on community gardens, farmers’ markets, and business development projects

Apply Now!

DENT COUNTY HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INITIATIVE 2008-09

Position: Food Entrepreneurship Development Associate (AmeriCorps*VISTA)

Duties:-Research best practices in food entrepreneurship, including farmer's markets, community gardening, business development, and youth entrepreneurship -Organize and coordinate the work of multiple committees of community members -Assess the educational needs and interests of aspiring food entrepreneurs (youth and adults) -Recruit and train volunteers to help deliver local educational programs -Work with local media outlets on publicity and promotion of events -Build partnerships with local organizations to implement programs
-Develop the capacity of community stakeholders to sustain food entrepreneurship activities

Minimum age: 21
Education: Associate's degree required; bachelor's degree preferred. Background in agriculture, education, business, natural resources, sociology, or a closely related field. Commensurate life experience will be considered in cases of outstanding applicants.

The University of Missouri is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

AmeriCorps*VISTA is dedicated to eliminating poverty by helping individuals and low-income communities make positive changes for themselves. Through VISTA, ordinary people provide extraordinary service in more than 1,200 projects nationwide.

AmeriCorps*VISTA Members Receive a Wealth of Benefits
Members who successfully complete a one-year term of service are eligible to receive either an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $4,725 or an end-of-service cash stipend of $1,200.
Additional benefits include:
• Paid Training • Student loan forbearance or deferment
• Living allowance of $833 per month • Federal non-competitive employment eligibility
• Health insurance • Childcare assistance if you qualify
• Relocation expenses • Allowable mileage and expense reimbursements


For more information, contact:
Sarah Hultine, MU Extension
573.729.3196
hultines@missouri.edu

Pumpkins at the market!

McBride Family Farm will have pumpkins for sale at the market on Saturday, September 27, from 7:30 a.m. till noon. Stop by to pick up some fall decorations for Halloween!

SARE grants fund sustainable agriculture projects

Source: Debi Kelly, 573-882-1905

COLUMBIA, Mo. –Farmers and ranchers in 12 north-central states can now compete for federal grants to fund projects in sustainable agriculture.

Funding comes from the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

“These grants allow farmers and ranchers an opportunity to test new sustainable agriculture techniques and demonstrate how they can be used over a wider area,” said Debi Kelly, Missouri SARE co-coordinator.

The SARE program invites farmers or ranchers operating in SARE’s North Central Region, which includes Missouri, to submit proposals for projects that test and evaluate adaptable sustainable agricultural practices for their operations. Competitive grants up to $6,000 for individuals or $18,000 for groups of three or more from separate operations are available.

Applications are due by Dec. 1, 2008. Eligible states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Missouri leads the region in number of grants won, with 85 since the program started in 1992.

Kelly said she would review any grant applications, offering suggestions to increase chances of success.

The grants are for sustainable agriculture research and education projects and not for everyday farming expenses.

During the past 16 years, these grants have funded a wide array of projects in livestock- and crop-production systems, waste management, weed and pest control, organic farming, marketing, water quality and soil conservation.

The grant application can be downloaded at http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/prod.htm.

For more information, contact MO SARE co-coordinator Debi Kelly at 573-882-1905 or kellyd@missouri.edu.

MO SARE co-coordinator K.B. Paul at Lincoln University can be reached at 573-681-5584 or paulk@lincolnu.edu.

More information about Missouri SARE is online at http://extension.missouri.edu/sare/.

Value-added ag in Missouri

This information is from the 2002 U.S. Census of Agriculture. Data from the 2007 Ag Census will be available in February 2009. Expect big changes - a Missouri count found nearly 140 farmers' markets across the state in 2008.

VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE IN MISSOURI

Number of Organic Farms	112		U.S. Rank	29
Market Value of Organic Agriculture	$641,604		Share of National Organic Market	<1%
Number of Direct Market Producers	3,937		U.S. Rank	10
Market Value of Direct Market Goods	$14,712,000		U.S. Rank	19
Number of Farmer's Markets	77		U.S. Rank	14

Community Food Systems newsletter

View the MU Extension Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture program August newsletter online at http://agebb.missouri.edu/sustain/news/index.htm

Newsletter topics include:
· Research on what makes farmers’ markets successful
· Diversifying our agricultural programming
· Salesmanship
· Starting and Operating a Farmers’ Market
· City Seeds in St. Louis
· Upcoming Events

Saturday's Featured Vendor: Akers Produce

We are busy at the farmers' market! Stop by and visit with Akers Produce for the pick of the season's produce, including cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. The market is open Saturdays through Labor Day, 7:30-noon.

Mint Springs Farm feature article in Salem News!

The recent issue of The Salem News featured an article about Salem Farmers' Market vendor Lori Sommer of Mint Springs Farm. View the article at http://www.thesalemnewsonline.com/index.html

Extension Cookout and Promotion Event - Tuesday August 5th!

Dent County Extension will host a cookout and promotion event at the Salem Farmers’ Market on Tuesday, August 5 from 3-6 p.m. This event is an opportunity for the public to meet and visit with the Dent County Extension staff and council members and learn about the programs offered in Dent County – from agriculture, nutrition, community development, 4-H and more. View program exhibits, 4-H demonstrations and projects, and enter to win great prizes. The new regional agronomy and horticulture specialists will be available to answer your farm and garden questions.

SACBA Cookout - Saturday!

Stop by the market for a cookout sponsored by Salem Area Community Betterment Association. Now's the time to buy fresh peaches, watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, and much more!

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

So Michael Pollan writes in his new book In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto. The book is about why we need to think about eating as something more than just providing nutrition, why the more we worry about healthy eating, the more unhealthy we've become. He suggests, "We forget that, historically, people have eaten for a great many reasons other than biological necessity. Food is also about pleasure, about community, about family and spirituality, about our relationship to the natural world, and about expressing our identity. As long as humans have been taking meals together, eating has been as much about culture as it has been about biology."

A visit to a farmers' market is one path to happy eating: fresh, local food grown without chemicals, a chance to know the farmer who grows it, support for local businesses, and time to visit with friends at the market.

July 26 Featured Vendor: Mint Springs Farm

Lori Sommer raises organic vegetables, fruits and herbs on her Meramec valley farm. She especially enjoys growing unusual and heirloom varieties. Come by and visit on Saturday mornings. A long-time member of Missouri Organic Association, she loves to discuss sustainable agricultural practices.

This Saturday at the Market: Pressure Cooker Testing!

Bring your pressure cooker to the farmers' market from 9:30 till noon on Saturday, July 19, and have it tested by University of Missouri Extension Nutrition Specialist Cammie Younger. Cammie will also answer your questions and provide information about canning and food preservation techniques.

Featured Vendor: McBride Family Farm

Visit with Alan and Kate McBride and their family at the Saturday farmers' market. The McBride Family Farm produces pumpkins as well as other vegetables. They specialize in heirloom vegetables and plant starts.

Featured Vendor: Reisner Ranch

Visit Craig and Susan Reisner and their family at the Salem Farmers’ Market to purchase all-natural beef. Their steers are raised in a stress-free natural environment and are finished out on an all-natural grain feed -- no hormones, steroids or antibiotics. Check out Reisner Ranch online at www.reisnerbeef.com.

Featured Vendor: Agape Farm

Visit with Tammy, George, and Alex Aronson of Agape Farm. The Aronsons are new to Missouri, raising boer goats, vegetables, and fresh eggs. These days, stop by farmers' market and try some of Tammy's Greek spinach pies, blackberry turnovers, cookies and brownies! Stop by and welcome them to Salem!

Celebrate the holiday weekend at the farmers' market!

Come to the farmers' market Saturday July 5th for a bbq and music! Visit with the vendors, check out their products and shop for your weekend picnics and parties! The market is open 7:30 a.m. through noon.

Featured Vendor: Bob Vallone

Meet Bob Vallone of Screaming Oaks Farm on Saturdays. Besides his fresh eggs, you can sample great infused olive oils with some fresh bread, and he will also offer you pickled eggs. His poultry products are all natural, free range chickens. His herbs will add that extra touch to your next recipe.

Featured Vendor: The Pie Lady

Paula Gallagher has been busy making pies from scratch for the past 49 years. She has a wide selection of cream pies, pies with nuts, plus cobblers and pies with market fresh fruits of the season. On Tuesdays she offers plate lunches and if you want breakfast, stop by Saturday morning for homemade biscuits!

CANCELLED -Get to know Dent County Extension!

The Dent County Extension cookout has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled later in the summer. If you have questions or would like to meet your Extension representatives, stop by the office at 112 E. 5th St., or call 573-729-3196.

Help celebrate Extension Week! Stop by the farmers' market on Tuesday June 17th from 3-6pm for a cookout and a chance to visit with the Dent County Extension staff and council members. Learn about the programs we offer - from agriculture, nutrition, community development, 4-H and more - and how you can get involved! Bring your farm and garden questions - our new regional agronomy and horticulture specialists will be at the market to answer your questions!

Featured Vendor: Jack Byington

Find jams and jellies, relishes, salsas, and other canned products, along with baked goods including cinnamon rolls and bread at The Wild Patch table!

"A farmers' market is an act of reconnection."

Looking for some summer reading? Check out some of these titles on local food.

• Like the quote above? Find it and many funny cooking experiments in Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally, by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon.
• Concerned about how our nation is dealing with poverty and hunger, and what it means to our communities when we lack accessible and affordable sources of nutritious food? Read Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty, by Mark Winne.
• The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan. A detailed search to find out how our food is produced.
  

Featured Vendor: Elisa Vance

You can find Elisa at the farmers' market offering her quick breads, including banana nut bread, pumpkin, zucchini, poppy seed and cranberry breads. She also makes great cookies. Elisa credits her mom for her great baking skills.

Featured Farm: Blackwell Family Produce

The Blackwells have been at the Salem Farmers' Market selling their vegetables and produce for a number of years. You can find them hard at work harvesting lettuce, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, beans, all fresh from their garden. Come by and see Joann on Tuesdays or Saturdays.

More Salem Farmers' Market online!

The Salem Farmers' Market was recently reviewed by farmer Penny Frazier of Goods from the Woods. Read her review and story on her blog at www.wildcrops.com/blog.

Want more news and information about farmers' markets in Missouri? Check out the Missouri Department of Agriculture Missouri Farmers' Market blog at http://mofarmersmarket.blogspot.com/. The Salem Market is mentioned several times on that blog!

This Week at the Market: BLACKSMITHING DEMO!

Alan McBride will be giving blacksmithing demonstrations this weekend at the market. Stop by to watch him work and see his creations, then stroll through the market to see what food products are available!

Featured Farm: McDonalds Bee Farm

This week at the market visit Max and Jo McDonald, and purchase some of their farm fresh honey and syrup. Weather permitting, Max will bring a display case of his bees to observe at the market. Don't forget to bring the kids by the McDonald's table - all kids get a piece of candy!

Meet the Salem Farmers' Market managers!

Chris Mathes and Mary Beth Cook are this year's market managers. Chris is a retired Boy Scout executive, and the past president of Salem Area Community Betterment Association. You can find Mary Beth at Denver Cook Realty and Insurance. Stop by the market and find out what special events they are planning for the market each week! Do you have questions about the market? Contact Chris at 573-247-3974 or Mary Beth at 573-729-4534.

This Week at the Market: Breakfast!

At the Salem Farmers' Market on Saturday, May 17: sample a "one-egg omelet" from Miller Family Farms, with cheese from farmer Cindy Rowe, honey from McDonalds' Bee Farm, and bread from Elissa Vance. Coffee will also be provided.

Featured Farm: Miller Family Farm

Geri Miller and her family raise nearly 100 hens on their family farm, and sell eggs at the Salem Farmers' Market every Saturday and Tuesday. The Miller family is new to the Salem area. Look for deviled eggs and other special treats each week at the market. Geri will also have some organically raised vegetables in season.

Featured Farm: Black Bear Ridge Studio Gardens

Susan Parker-England has been collecting daylilies for over 25 years, and has been raising and selling a variety of ornamental grasses, trees and shrubs, native plants and cultivars all hardy to Missouri since 2003. Plants available include roses, blueberries, hostas, daylilies, herbs, and many more. Need a Mothers' Day gift for Mom? A flowering plant from Black Bear Ridge Studio Gardens makes a perfect gift. Stop by the Farmers' Market on May 10 and visit with Susan and purchase one of her beautiful plants!

Welcome to the Salem Farmers' Market Blog

Check out the Salem Farmers' Market blog regularly to see what products are in season, and what special events will be happening at the market all season! Also view profiles of our local farmers and read commentary on building local food systems. See you at the market!