Ernie Flint, Interim County Director/ Mississippi State University Extension Service
Farmers’ Markets are not new in Kosciusko. We’ve had successful markets in the past; but events like droughts and changes in Extension appointments have had their effects on their success and longevity. Last fall, we were contacted by members of the 2009 class of Leadership Attala about helping the group with the organization of a new Farmers’ Market in Kosciusko. I met with them, and discussed the factors involved with organizing a market; and was impressed by the enthusiasm among this group of young professional people.
Since that first meeting, Leadership Attala has held meetings with potential growers and appointed a board of directors for the market. A set of bylaws has been adopted which generally follows that of other markets that have been successful all over Mississippi. The director of the new Farmers’ Market in Jackson met with the entire group to offer guidance and support to the endeavor.
With spring soon to begin, potential growers need to be considering their plans for crops that may be offered for sale at the market in Kosciusko. We have scheduled a meeting for this purpose that will be held at the Attala County Extension Service office on Fairground Road. Our offices are located at the Fairgrounds in the building that was formerly the exhibit hall; and is a half block north of the Kosciusko-Attala Vocational and Technical Center. Time for the meeting is next Thursday, Feb. 10, at 1:30 p.m.
Those who have been known as potential growers will be receiving letters; but the meeting is open to anyone who may be considering growing for the Market or selling their extra items there. There will be presentations on production methods, soil fertility, crop selection, and other subjects that may be of interest to those attending. We hope to see you here; and we hope you will consider joining us in supporting this new market that can be a great asset to Kosciusko and surrounding areas.
