I get excited this time of year as spring unfolds knowing that our local farmer’s market will soon be up and going. I know that the early spring selections are not terribly diverse, but I love perusing the offerings under the awnings and getting fresh greens, peas, and other spring vegetables. One of the things that I like about buying my produce from the farmers at the farmer’s market is that I know I am supporting local home businesses…
Farmers really are the original “work from home” individuals and many are still family businesses or co-operatives of like-minded individuals. It is not easy to be a farmer in these industrialized modern times, but these local organic farmers in my area are amazing–doing everything they can to get their produce and products into a variety of markets. A couple years ago, I attended a “talk” with a panel of local organic farmers and listening to them talk about their business operations, distribution, trying to adjust their produce to fit market needs, etc. While I just think of the succulent fresh produce I get, I realized that these guys were operating home-based businesses on a large scale! Many of them did live at their farms or nearby and at least one confessed to holding down another job during the “off season.”
As a small, home business owner, I try to support other home businesses and small, local operations whenever I can. I think it is important that we support and encourage each other (in addition to sharing tips and ideas and networking) so when I take my basket to the farmer’s market, I am not only eating local and organic (which is a good thing) but I am supporting the efforts of local home-based businesses and business owners in the guise of farms and farmers.
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