Contest Seeks The Best Farmers Market In America

The American Farmland Trust is looking for the best farmers market in America with its America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest.

From now until Sept. 3, farmers market shoppers throughout the U.S. can vote for their favorite markets during the fourth annual competition. One small, one medium, and one large market will win the title of "America's Favorite Farmers Market" for 2012.

The goal of the contest is to promote the role that farmers markets play in keeping family farmers in the farming industry. The 2012 America's Favorite Farmers Market contest has expanded to include all 7,175 markets that are listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Farmers Market Directory.

People can vote for as many participating farmers markets as they choose, but can only vote for each market once. The winning markets will be promoted by the American Farmland Trust and will be honored at local celebrations.

In addition to the America's Favorite Farmers Market contest, farmers can submit an essay to win the Farmers Market Inspiration Award, a $1,000 prize awarded to a farmer showing the greatest dedication to his or her market.