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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Surge in Farmers Markets


Want to get into farming? Now may be the time, according to Bob King, director of the Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute at MCC. In an article in the May 6 Democrat and Chronicle about the new crop of farm markets around Greater Rochester, Bob discusses the opportunities.

From the D&C:

While farmers markets may be feeling the pinch of a vendor shortage now, the current environment is ripe with opportunity for small (5 acres or less) family farm operations, whose numbers are actually on the rise, said Bob King, director of the Agricultural and Life Sciences Institute at Monroe Community College.

Coming onto the scene are young growers just getting into agriculture; specialty farmers responding to the call for heirloom produce, pasture-raised livestock and other niche foods; middle-aged corporate workers who are starting farming as a second or side career, and immigrants with farming backgrounds connecting with established farmers who are getting ready to retire. King is also seeing more Finger Lakes-area growers wanting to sell in the lucrative Rochester-area market.

Read the full article online: <<https://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/NEWS01/80506009&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL>

Dianne E McConkey
College and Community Relations
05/07/2008