Alcorn Natchez Farmers Market Host Events During National Farmers Market Week

To commemorate National Farmers Market Week, August 7-13, the Alcorn State University Natchez Farmers Market sponsored numerous activities throughout the week including the 9th Annual Extension Awareness Day and 5th Annual Fruit and Vegetable Festival.

National Farmers Market Week was proclaimed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

All three School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences radio talk shows highlighted information throughout the week for farmers and consumers. Information was, also, shared on how since 1999, the Natchez Farmers Market has aided in the growth of the local economy, according to Helen Brooks, Natchez Farmers Market, marketing coordinator.

Alcorn State University Extension Program staff Dr. Cedric Sims, agronomy specialist, Carolyn Banks, director of the Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Project, Jarita Frazier-King, Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program coordinator, and Manola Erby, 4-H youth specialist, provided demonstrations, technical information, handouts and fact sheets on selected fruits and vegetables, as well as offered information on the ASUEP signature Health & Wellness Program. To further promote the Natchez Farmers Market, Brooks, appeared on both the Extension this Week and the School of AREAS’ Enriching Lives talk shows on the campus radio WPRL 91.7 FM ‘The Gold.’

The four-planned ASUEP areas are Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, Family & Consumer Sciences and Community Resource Development.

Diane Claughton, market manager for the Ocean Springs Fresh Market, Ocean Springs, Mississippi appeared as a guest on WTJY 97.7/WMIS 1240 AM, the weekly Alcorn State University Extension Program’s Extension this Week radio show, to provide information on the importance of creating a positive atmosphere when selling or visiting local farmers markets.

To receive weekly School of AREAS’ news and information, tune into the Extension this Week talk show every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. on 97.7 FM/1240 AM with Brooks as host. A second ASUEP Extension this Week as well as the School of AREAS’ Enriching Lives talk show, airs Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at noon, respectively, on 91.7 FM. Both talk shows are hosted by Erby.

Upcoming events at the Natchez Farmers Market, 199 St. Catherine Street, Natchez, Mississippi include:

  • 11th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, October 29, 2016
  • 9th Annual Youth Art Competition, December 10, 2016

For additional information on the Natchez Farmers Market, email Helen Brooks at [email protected], or contact Brooks or Mary Baker, assistant marketing coordinator, at (601) 442-4648.

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