A proclamation from Secretary of Agriculture's Tom Vilsack.  Harney County has two farmer's markets, one at the Hines Park and the other at the Palace.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary Washington, DC 20250

NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK August 4–10, 2024

By the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States of America

A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS farmers markets play a vital role in providing access to fresh, locally grown produce and other agricultural products, supporting the health and well-being of our communities; and

WHEREAS farmers markets offer a vibrant and inclusive space for education and engagement, where individuals can learn about food production, nutrition, and community; and

WHEREAS farmers markets provide consumers with affordable options in their communities, and foster relationships between consumers and farmers, enhancing transparency and trust in our food system; and

WHEREAS farmers markets contribute significantly to local economies by creating more, new, and better market opportunities that allow farmers to sell their products directly to consumers, thereby retaining a greater share of the food dollar within the community; and

WHEREAS farmers markets further USDA’s Food System Transformation framework to build a fairer system that works better for both family farmers and the families they support; and

WHEREAS National Farmers Market Week, held annually, recognizes the important role farmers markets play in our food system and encourages Americans to support local producers by purchasing their products at farmers markets.

NOW, THEREFORE, to further awareness of farmers markets’ essential contributions to American life, I, Thomas J. Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby proclaim the week of August 4-10, 2024, as National Farmers Market Week. I call upon the American people to celebrate farmers markets with appropriate observances and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of July, the two -hundred and forty-eighth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

THOMAS J. VILSACK Secretary