Foundation Support Reaches Siskiyou's Farmers Markets

StarWalker Farms is one of several Siskiyou County producers selling locally raised beef and heritage pork at local markets, and online.

The Siskiyou EDC recently leveraged just over $20,000 to help Siskiyou County Farmers Markets adapt to new mandates in connection to COVID-19. Six markets operate seasonally in Siskiyou County in a coordinated effort to sell grains, produce, and proteins raised in Siskiyou County. Starting in June and ending in October, farmers markets are a visible and important aspect of the Siskiyou County agriculture economy. 

“We knew our role would be very important during the pandemic.” explains Nancy Swift, director of the Mount Shasta Market and JEDI.  “With increased and immediate demand for eggs, meat and flour, our local supply chain became essential.”  Market producers fulfill a number of valuable functions that supporting healthy communities. In Siskiyou County, the Farmers Markets support downtown revitalization, job creation and mitigation of food insecurity. 

The Community Foundation of the North State provided market match to help local individuals in need shop at the markets, and the Ford Family Foundation provided COVID-19 response funding to help the markets meet new COVID-19 regulations.

“Demand for local food dramatically increased with the pandemic,” says Swift. “We are very grateful to the Ford Family Foundation, the Community Foundation of the Northstate and the Siskiyou EDC for their support of our response effort.”

More than a quarter of the county population will participate in at least one local market between June and October.  Farmers Markets strengthen the local food system while creating opportunities for agriculture producers to increase income. “The Etna market has grown steadily year by year,” says Etna manager Shirley Johnson. “Interest in locally-grown produce and protiens has been steadily increasing since we started in 2012 but we saw a 20% increase in 2020 sales, during the pandemic.”

The Siskiyou County EDC is working with managers, producers and businesses to support the growth of Farmers Markets in Siskiyou County. The USDA recently awarded project funding to the Siskiyou EDC to increase market sales over the next three years. Together, market managers, producers and the Siskiyou EDC will lead a connected effort to support Siskiyou County’s local food economy. 

Connect with Siskiyou County farms who offer exceptional products and year round online sales.

 

Questions can be directed to info@siskiyoucounty.org or by calling the Siskiyou EDC at (530) 842-1638.