It's a Farmer's market

[Peggy Adams <adams@pcei.org>]

Here on the Palouse we have a greater demand for local, fresh, produce
than we have a supply.  This applies especially to produce grown without
agrochemicals. I talked to Mary Blythe yesterday and she told me that she's
having trouble getting enough produce vendors this year.  This strikes me
as a great opportunity.

Growing enough produce for sale doesn't have to be a big deal or take much
land and it can be a great fund raising project for a family or group.  On
a 20x20 foot plot at the Koppel Farm or the Moscow Community Garden one can
grow enough of almost anything to bring in a fair income.  A little bit of
your backyard will grow plenty of squash to sell.  Salad greens grow fast
and, nicely packaged, will bring in a good income.  There is still time to
plant tomatoes, peppers, corn, beans and eggplant for midsummer and there
is always a demand for them.  In planning for next year, overwintered
leeks, kale and brussel spouts and fall planted spinach will bring income
in before anything else is ready.  We grow great garlic, rhubarb, and
horseradish here on the Palouse, too.

Selling produce at the farmers' market isn't restricted to "farmers."   I
know of a family outside of Spokane who put their three boys through
college on what they grew in their 1/2 acre backyard.  Think about trying
it with your family or group.   It's an opportunity not only to learn about
gardening but also about marketing, packaging, budgeting, selling,
planning, and market forces.

If you need more encouragement let me know.

Peggy

Peggy Adams

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Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute
P O Box 8596; 112 West 4th St; Suite #1
Moscow ID 83843-1096
Phone (208)882-1444; Fax (208)882-8029
url:  http://www.moscow.com/pcei

Please Note our individual staff email addresses below:

Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director: lamar@pcei.org
Peggy Adams, Watersheds/Food Systems: adams@pcei.org
Jon Barrett, Idaho Smart Growth:  smartgro@micron.net
Elaine Clegg, Idaho Smart Growth:  eclegg@micron.net
Anita Grover, Watersheds: grover@pcei.org
Laurie Gardes, Financial Manager:  gardes@pcei.org
Ashley Martens, Environmental Education:  martens@pcei.org
Lisabeth Edlund, Americorp/Youth at Risk edlund@pcei.org

Celebrating thirteen years of connecting people, place and community.
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