Everything Nac

     Get ready Texas’ Oldest Town, the Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market is one of the contestants in the 2012 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest hosted each year by American Farmland Trust.

     American Farmland Trust (AFT) has opened the voting to select “America’s Favorite Farmers Markets” at www.farmland.org/vote. The online contest is a nationwide challenge to see which of America’s farmers markets can rally the most support from their communities. At the end of the contest on August 31st, one large, medium, small, and boutique sized farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2012. Winners will be featured on Epicurious.com, the most award-winning foodsite, and will be honored at local celebrations where they will receive prize packages from American Farmland Trust and its partners.

     Farmers markets are a vital link between local farms and their supporting communities, providing fresh and healthy food and an experience that cannot be matched anywhere else. By partnering with farmers market managers, American Farmland Trust is encouraging consumers to consider the importance of farmland and to support local farmers. Market shoppers can cast their vote in support of their region’s farmers, community and market. To vote for the Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market simply go to www.farmland.org/vote.

     “The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest is a fun and engaging way for farmers market shoppers to show their pride for their local farmers markets and to directly support their communities,” said Jon Scholl, president of American Farmland Trust. “Farmers markets provide a vital connection from town and city centers to surrounding local farms, supplying fresh and healthy food and an experience that cannot be matched anywhere else.”

     The America’s Favorite Farmers Contest is a part of American Farmland Trust’s No Farms No Food® campaign, which raises awareness of the dangers of farmland loss by making connections to food. Farms near metropolitan areas produce 91 percent of the nation’s market value of fruit, 78 percent of vegetables, and 67 percent of dairy products.

     If you would like to sign up for the weekly Farmers’ Market email update, please send an email to obriens@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us. You are also more than welcome to visit www.farmermktnac.blogspot.com. Also be our fan on facebook@NacogdochesFarmersMarket.

     The Nacogdoches Farmers’ Market, located at the “hitch lot” at the corner of West Main and Pearl Streets, is open from 8 a.m. until noon or later every Saturday morning. The market is also open on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. throughout the busy growing season. If the market parking lot is full, additional parking is available in the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex parking lot.

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American Farmland Trust is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms. Since its founding in 1980 by a group of farmers and citizens concerned about the rapid loss of farmland to development, AFT has helped save more than 3 million of acres of farmland and led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more.
AFT’s national office is located in Washington, DC. Phone: 202-331-7300. For more information, visit www.farmland.org.