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North Dakota Ag Department promoting farmers markets

A farmers market in Grand Forks that regularly draws crowds of more than 3,000 people has state officials convinced that similar events could work in smaller towns.

Known as the Town Square Farmers Market, the event has attracted more than 60 vendors at different times in the summer. Traditionally, it is open on Saturdays from mid-June through mid-September, but organizers are planning to expand the market to Thursday nights during its fourth season this summer.

Associated Press

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/01/27/build/business/40-farmersmarkets.inc

"It’s a wonderful example of what you can do with organizing farmers markets," said Donna Thronson, marketing specialist with the state Agriculture Department. "This was something they were able to get going from infancy to the level it is now, and we think there’s potential for small towns to hold these events.

The Agriculture Department is holding a conference in Carrington for people interested in learning about farmers markets. The department tried to organize a similar event about eight years ago but there was not enough interest, Thronson said.

"We’re giving it a serious run this time," she said. "We already have recruited some people who are very interested in making this work."

Kim Woods, volunteer organizer for the Grand Forks market, has been working with the Agriculture Department on ideas for other farmers markets. She believes the time is right for other markets in the state.

"Many of these vendors are looking for a niche that may be interesting," Woods said. "They just need to understand how to get the product to market."

Besides fruits and vegetables, the Grand Forks market also features baked and canned goods, and arts and crafts. There also is live entertainment that varies from accordion players to dancers, Woods said.

It’s important that products be handmade or homemade, Woods said.

"I like vendors who have a story to tell about their product," she said. "There’s a pride of ownership there and people like that."

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Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises.

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