After a summer of fresh food and voting, winners are named.
After a summer of farmers market activity,
American Farmland Trust has named the winners of the fourth annual America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest.
Out of 47,275 votes cast throughout the summer, voters named four winners: one in each size category.
Small Markets: Arlington Farmers Market, Arlington, Washington
Midsize Markets: Sulphur Springs Texas Farmers Market, Sulphur Springs, Texas
Medium Markets: Winter Garden Farmers Market, Winter Garden, Florida
Large Markets: Fayetteville Farmers Market, Fayetteville, Arkansas
In concert with the contest, Cory Mosser of
Burge Organic Farm in Mansfield, Georgia was named winner of the 2012 Farmers Market Inspiration Award. The Farmers Market Coalition in partnership with Growing for Market magazine and American Farmland Trust selected Mosser as the winner of the $1,000 prize for his essay on why farmers markets matter to his farm, family, and community.
Situated on the grounds of Burge Plantation, a property that has been in the same family since 1809, Burge Organic Farm produces fruits, vegetables, honey and eggs on 16 acres. “It has been nothing short of incredible to witness a community come into full bloom around local food,” wrote Mosser in his essay. “People come to the market to talk with their neighbors and to make new friends. Families bond over dinner plans.”
“Saturday for me is the big payoff,” Mosser wrote. “It’s our chance after a week of talking to plants to be the center of a conversation … I get paid not only in dollars, but also in priceless vignettes that unfold every weekend right in front of me.” Mosser’s full essay is available on the
Growing for Market website.
“The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest is about celebrating the unique qualities of farmers markets throughout the nation and the important role that these markets play in keeping family farmers on the land,” says American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl.
The winning farmers markets will each receive a plaque and a shipment of customized No Farms No Food reusable tote bags. They will also be featured in the media, including Epicurious.com and the Food Networks’s FN Dish.
For more information about the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest, including listings of the top farmers markets by state and size category, visit
www.votemyfarmersmarket.org.