New Farmers' Market to Open at Clevenger's Corner

Market to Open August 15

(Culpeper, VA - August 11, 2008) The Tri-County Farmers' Market located at Clevenger's Corner will open on Friday, August 15th. This market is the latest in a growing regional network of farmers' markets to support local farming families and their locally produced or grown foods. Earlier this year the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) kicked off its Northern Piedmont Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign in Culpeper and adjoining counties.

This new market will be located at Clevenger's Corner at the southwest corner of the intersection of Routes 211 and 229. The market will be open on Fridays and Sundays from 4PM to 7 PM both days. The market will be open rain or shine and will run at least thru October for this inaugural season. As the market grows, the market may be open more days with longer hours.

"Supporting our local farming families is critical to preserving the great farming heritage of our community," said Bob Wollam, a local flower grower, who has been working with landowner Jim Epstein to start the new market. "Initially the market will be very local with farmers from Culpeper, Rappahannock, and Fauquier all invited to participate. "Not only does the public purchase farm fresh foods that taste good, but customers are supporting the local economy as well by keeping local dollars in our community." Farmers wishing to become vendors at the market can do so by contacting Bob Wollam at 540-937-3222.

"The response to the Buy Fresh Buy Local program has been overwhelmingly positive," said Melissa Wiley, Project Manager for the PEC. "We are delighted to be able to help local groups organize and establish farmers' markets in their communities." For more information about Virginia's Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign please visit www.buylocalvirginia.org.

The Tri-County Farmers' Market is dedicated to being a producer-only market. This means that all farm products must be grown or produced on the participating farmer's land in the three Counties. This policy will strengthen and support our local farms, strengthen our local communities and secure our local economy. According to Virginia Cooperative Extension if each household in Culpeper, Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties annually spent $10 a week of their food dollars on local foods, it would have an economic impact of over $23 million.

Wollam is acting as Market Manager for this new venture, but he would appreciate help in the form of volunteers to coordinate the setup and administration of this new market. For more information contact him at 540-937-3222.