ponto
April 15th, 2005, 10:17 AM
The Ledger reported today that the city is taking over the farmer's market program as we know it.
http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2005/04/14/local_news/667maysville.txt
It started last year when a dispute arose in Old Washington about what side of Old Main Street a farmer could set up on. The government was called in and the farmer had to move. Farmers were then banned from Old Washington by the government for the rest of the season.
In years past, Mason County farmers could set up (free of charge) in a small area to sell their locally grown produce directly to the public. The farmer made a little money and consumers got fresh, great tasting produce. Government was not an issue and local residents benefited.
Farmer's Markets have become BIG business.
People who have never grown anything in their life, buy produce wholesale, dress up like a farmer, go to a building built and managed by a local government, and if the Ledger is correct, collect a fee of $75.00 to sell tomatoes or what ever else is in season for the next 21 days.
The average selling season in this climate for a farmer is 180 days. That would be about 8 times the poor farmer would have to fork over $75 to the city, or $600.00
On top of this, I am sure there would be some sort of rental on the vendor space.
We already have stores that sell produce from all over the world, some of it comes from countries that still use DDT. Produce that is grown for shelf life and good looks. Not flavor and freshness.
Let's keep the Farmer in our Farmer's Market.
http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2005/04/14/local_news/667maysville.txt
It started last year when a dispute arose in Old Washington about what side of Old Main Street a farmer could set up on. The government was called in and the farmer had to move. Farmers were then banned from Old Washington by the government for the rest of the season.
In years past, Mason County farmers could set up (free of charge) in a small area to sell their locally grown produce directly to the public. The farmer made a little money and consumers got fresh, great tasting produce. Government was not an issue and local residents benefited.
Farmer's Markets have become BIG business.
People who have never grown anything in their life, buy produce wholesale, dress up like a farmer, go to a building built and managed by a local government, and if the Ledger is correct, collect a fee of $75.00 to sell tomatoes or what ever else is in season for the next 21 days.
The average selling season in this climate for a farmer is 180 days. That would be about 8 times the poor farmer would have to fork over $75 to the city, or $600.00
On top of this, I am sure there would be some sort of rental on the vendor space.
We already have stores that sell produce from all over the world, some of it comes from countries that still use DDT. Produce that is grown for shelf life and good looks. Not flavor and freshness.
Let's keep the Farmer in our Farmer's Market.