Farmers’ Markets Sprouting Up All Over Maryland

LA PLATA – The farmers’ market has been a part of La Plata’s community for 33 years, and Charles Bowling has been a vendor since the start.

Located in the center of town, the relatively small market fits the rural community well. With just eight to 10 vendors during the peak summer months, Bowling has become an established figure within the community.

He knows almost all of his customers by name, and is there so often that some of his regulars say they would worry if Bowling missed a week.
Because of his long history at the market — and the convenience provided by his familiarity with it — Bowling chooses not to expand to Maryland’s rapidly growing farmers’ market community.
But unlike Bowling, many Maryland farmers are taking advantage of the growing number of farmers’ markets across the state.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture lists 103 local Maryland markets in its 2010 farmers’ market directory, up from 83 in 2008. And while Bowling chooses not to capitalize on the rapid growth, he admits statewide expansion has been good for farmers.



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