farmers market is a great place to shop for locally grown food and a wonderful way to support Mississippi farmers. Mississippi boasts a network of some 60 farmers markets scattered across the state. Approximately 20 of them are certified. Through the Mississippi Certified Farmers Market Program, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce recognizes those farmers markets that actively promote the sale of Mississippi-grown and Mississippi-made products. Livingston Farmers Market in Madison County is a certified farmers market. Each year, Livingston Farmers Market offers some 30 vendors, who sell everything from honey, vegetables, bread and fruit to stone-ground grits, milk, shrimp, eggs and cheese. One local Madison County farmer even sells homegrown organic beef and lamb. In addition, you will find arts and crafts booths, hot food, live music and cooking demonstrations. This year, Mississippi writers are scheduled to sign books, and Mississippi artists will exhibit their work. As usual, there will be plenty of activities for kids.
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Like a Country Fair “Our farmers market celebrates the very best of Mississippi,” said Walt Bowie, who with his father-in-law David Landrum, helps to organize the market each year. “Folks enjoy browsing the stands, listening to music and visiting with their neighbors. It is almost like an old-time country fair.” Bowie says the market is open every Thursday, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The late-afternoon/early-evening time frame gives people an opportunity to relax and shop after work, under a canopy of 185-year-old cedar trees. Bowie says it is an experience most visitors don’t soon forget. “A farmers market offers a farm-to-table mindset that people are drawn to,” he said. “Our farmers market is also very festive and social. We average about 1,000 visitors each week. People come from all over the metro area.” Last year, Livingston Farmers Market even held a tailgate party under a tent in honor of the first college football game of the season. Town of Livingston Livingston Farmers Market is set up on the old Livingston town site. Livingston was founded in the early 1800s by settlers drawn to area springs. Around 1829, the town became the second designated seat of government for Madison County and the first site of the county courthouse. (The first county seat was the town of Madisonville.) When the railroad came through Canton, the courthouse was moved there, and Livingston
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slowly began to die out. Walt says plans are on the table to rebuild the community and give it an 1800s feel, using original roadbeds and preserving many of the original hardwood trees. The first phase of the new Livingston Township will feature an Old Towne Square, a courthouse, restaurants, wedding chapel, working farm (where folks can see first-hand how their food is grown), farmers market pavilion and old-time country store. For More Information This year, Livingston Farmers Market will be open until Oct 4. The market is located at the corner of Highways 463 (Mannsdale Road) and 22 near Madison. For more information, call Walt at (601) 707-7789 or (769) 2347517, or visit the Livingston Farmers Market Facebook page. The photos here are compliments of Livingston Farmers Market.
Recipe By Clara Bilbo, Madison County
Summer Fruit Salad 5-oz. (1 ½ c.) uncooked sm. shell pasta 1 c. seeded watermelon chunks 1 c. fresh strawberry halves ½ c. seedless grapes 1 kiwi fruit, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced ½ c. purchased poppy seed salad dressing 3 c. torn mixed salad greens Cook pasta to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well. In large bowl, combine cooked pasta and all remaining ingredients; mix well. Serve immediately. Yield: 8 (3/4-cup) servings. This recipe is from “Country Cooking, Volume IV,” available at most county Farm Bureau offices. The cost is $15. If you order from the state office, you will pay $15 plus postage. For more information, contact Women’s Program Coordinator Clara Bilbo at 1-800-227-8244, ext. 4245
MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY
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