Kentucky's growing season

I am posting a new blog message for the first time in 18 months!

It is late June, and the July 4th holidays is approaching. I recently submitted a commentary supporting farmers' markets in Kentucky, and once it comes out I expect this page view to jump up quite a bit after that. I appreciate any comments, both support and cricism, if you happened to find this page after reading that commentary.

For those who do not know me, I spent the whole 2006 farmers' market season at Owensboro Regional Farmers' Market as a participant observer, and that experience is still vivid. I woke up 3am every morning, left home in Lexington around 4am, and arrived Owensboro around 6am (Owensboro is in CST). At there I was at market for whole day. Owensboro Market started at 6:30am and continued until noon. Even though I was not a selling vendor, in addition to speaking with vendors, customers and taking notes, I helped vendors often as a needed labor. I learned a lot in that processes, and wholeheartedly thank all vendors, customers, people in the KDA, and everyone whom I talked with for great support.

Last year, Owensboro Market had cut-off date of July 11, and after that day market had to be "producer-only" market. I saw pros and cons for that decision, especially after heavy thunderstorms and wind damages that vanished many vendors from the market. This year the Owensboro market implemented 75% rule, meaning that 75% of produce sold at the market must be grown by vendors. I am curious to see how things are going at there. As soon as I complete Chapter 6, I hope to visit there again.