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