Small Farmers, Big Possibilities

[Pluff Mudder]

Small farmers, big possibilities

Growing pains just part of tapping into markets
By STEVE SZKOTAK
Associated Press
Thursday, August 14, 2008




Steve Helber
AP A Mennonite family looks over what's available at the Virginia auction, which features a variety of produce — such as the corn shown at left — grown locally on small farms. At right, independent buyer Vernon Hoover looks over tomatoes. As demand for local produce grows, smaller operations are struggling with the complexities of large-scale business.


DAYTON, Va. — At the wholesale produce market in this Mennonite community, farming families arrive by horse and buggy and pallets are stacked high with freshly harvested Shenandoah Valley onions, corn, green peppers and squash.

Charleston, SC Latest Business News: Small farmers, big possibilities

[Food Network Fan]

It would be nice to see some of the small farmers to be able to gain from their local wares.