Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced Monday 23 grants totaling $900,000 under the Farmers Market Promotion Program, including one for a Houston-based organization.
The awards will aid local governments, nonprofit and economic development corporations and agricultural cooperatives in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Funds will support projects that establish, expand and promote farmers markets and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.
About $70,150 went to Top of the Ozarks Resource Conservation and Development Inc., Houston, to assess the needs of 12 farmers markets in 10 south central Missouri counties. The funds will be used to determine how to best meet these needs and improve visibility of the markets through advertising, product mix, infrastructure improvements, vendor training and communication.