Virginia Farmers Market Association’s Post

Happy summer solstice! The peak local growing season in the Chicago region is upon us, with new crops pouring into farmers markets every week. The new Local Food Forum website is happy to share our home area's regional farmers market schedule from tomorrow (June 21) to next Thursday (June 27). Earlier this week, I announced a re-formatting in which we are using the website as the primary vehicle for posting stories. And instead of producing newsletter issues with full content of three or four items, each article gets its own space on the website. (The newsletter lives on with a daily digest of new content.) This weekly farmers market schedule is a great example of why this is advantageous. Though I was pleased to share the schedule in the newsletter since it launched more than three years ago, the proliferation of farmers markets this time of year made it a clunky, long scroll in that format. Now, on the website, it has its own little place in the world, and you can access it easily if that's your interest. Looking forward, this new practice should enable us to feature farmers market schedule in other parts of the country as the website starts reaching a broader audience. Enough said. If you're in the Chicago region, please check the schedule, go to your local farmers market early to beat the heat, and support our local farmers! https://lnkd.in/g6bG-e-4

share your thoughts with farmers ultimately you got new ideas & lots of things we learn from farmers..! today's discussion with pomegranate farmers Organized Farmer Meeting #Best Agrolife Ltd #Tricolor #Warden #Pomegranate #Agriculturalsolutions

Happy summer solstice! The peak local growing season in the Chicago region is upon us, with new crops pouring into farmers markets every week. The new Local Food Forum website is happy to share our home area's regional farmers market schedule from tomorrow (June 21) to next Thursday (June 27). Earlier this week, I announced a re-formatting in which we are using the website as the primary vehicle for posting stories. And instead of producing newsletter issues with full content of three or four items, each article gets its own space on the website. (The newsletter lives on with a daily digest of new content.) This weekly farmers market schedule is a great example of why this is advantageous. Though I was pleased to share the schedule in the newsletter since it launched more than three years ago, the proliferation of farmers markets this time of year made it a clunky, long scroll in that format. Now, on the website, it has its own little place in the world, and you can access it easily if that's your interest. Looking forward, this new practice should enable us to feature farmers market schedule in other parts of the country as the website starts reaching a broader audience. Enough said. If you're in the Chicago region, please check the schedule, go to your local farmers market early to beat the heat, and support our local farmers! https://lnkd.in/giCSXsVE

'Make Farming secure, profitable and cooler again'. My project is currently in the community review process in Fund12 of the Catalyst Cardano Proposals - we're developing similar measures proposed by the Sustainable Food Trust where we've developed a web3 solution with traditional bricks and mortar greengrocery that supports the local economy with a secure food supply, for a profitable return for the farmers/growers with a regenerative action for innovation and investment that supports on the farm to and for the family. Issues: High barriers to entry: Local food retailers struggle to compete with larger supermarkets.  Lack of support for workers: Low pay, long hours, and burnout hinder scaling efforts despite strong interest and passion.  Lack of local, sustainable produce: Farm-level issues and the need for government action limit supply.  Setup constraints and infrastructure limitations: The sector lacks expertise and coordination, with gaps in both physical and digital infrastructure.  High costs and customer demand gap: Local food often costs more, challenging customers. Insufficient customer offerings and lack of marketing capacity also hinder demand and scaling. Solutions: Policy support: Including levelling the playing field with larger players and enable businesses to attract and retain talent.  Aggregation: Streamline admin, logistics, processing, and marketing through food hubs, online platforms, and cooperatives.  Investment: To build necessary infrastructure such as local food processors, and food aggregation hubs. Sector coordination: To enable streamlining and economies of scale.   Customer demand generation: through marketing and a better, and more convenient customer offer. High costs and customer demand gap

This is important because the USDA has a matter of seconds to perform the many tests required on each animal. At massive meat processing plants that are slaughtering 7000+ head of cattle per day, it's unrealistic to expect this to happen correctly and they face massive backlash if they decide to shut down production as it cuts into profits. This is why small processing plants are so important for the consumer. It allows the USDA to perform the necessary testing on each animal to make sure the meat you're consuming is free of disease and bacteria that can make you sick. Additionally, small meat processing plants are better for the health of the workers who process the meat and the animals who are slaughtered in a much more humane manner. This makes regen meat better for the environment, the animals, the farmers, the workers and the consumers. It's worth the extra money and something to consider when purchasing meat. Small meat packing facilities are an important part of regenerative agriculture. We must consider every step of the process and decentralize the power from the 5 meat packing facilities that own the majority of our food supply and put the power back into the hands of the farmers and the people. #regenerativeagriculture #thefutureisregenerative

Steeze On Farm! Let's give it up for the unsung heroes of the agriculture game - our fabulous farmers! They cultivate the land, nurture the crops, and bring fresh goodness to our tables. And, yes, they've got style and swag too! So, as you sip on that cold brew or enjoy a juicy burger, remember the farmers who made it all possible. They're the real MVPs! Relax, unwind, and let's celebrate the farmers who bring the heat (and the harvest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #AgroLogistics #FarmToTable #LogisticsSolutions #AgriculturalSupplyChain #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture #FarmFresh #CargoHandling #SupplyChainManagement #Agribusiness #LogisticsInnovation #AgriculturalTransportation

🌱 Today marks #WorldLocalisationDay! On this day, we highlight the need to rebuild healthy local economies, communities and food systems through collective action. Achieving this needs all of us to become active participants in our food system, not just consumers. In collaboration with Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, Pasture for Life and The Landworkers' Alliance, we recently launched our #LocalFoodPlan report, ‘Growing the Local Food Sector: A Snapshot of Barriers and Solutions.’ 🍎 The report highlights the key challenges in growing the local food sector, as well as a range of solutions from policy support, to aggregation and investment. 🔗 Read the report at: https://lnkd.in/ejQKPvMg 🖱️And learn more in this latest blog from The Landworkers' Alliance: https://lnkd.in/gawnBM-2

At Planfarm Grain Marketing, we understand the uniqueness of each farm. Our commitment? Tailoring Master Plans to fit your crops' specific stages and market nuances. Because your success is not just a goal; it's a journey we’re on together. 📱 Andrew 0408 848 123 #PlanfarmGrainMarketing #PartnerWithPlanfarm

🌱🐮 Shaping the Future of Dairy Farming: Dr. David Cook, Founder of BoviSync, delves into the paradigm shift in dairy management, emphasizing the strategic importance of terminal lactation and maximizing beef value. Discover the latest insights in agricultural innovation. #DairyManagement #Agribusiness #BoviSync