Farmer's Market At Langdale Mill

The 2007 Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference was held in Mobile, Alabama December 5-6. The conference included sessions on Agritourism and Farmers Markets & Community Food Projects, which are of particular interest to Valley because of possible future plans to start its own Farmers Market at the Historic Langdale Mill Complex. Some 500 participants from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi shared challenges and opportunities about growing, selling, and marketing fresh vegetables locally. Vendors from throughout the U.S. were on hand to exhibit their products.

Dr. John Braswell, Horticulturist at Mississippi State University directed the conference. The Alabama State Farmers Market Authority was represented by Don Wambles, Director.

The City of Valley was represented by Linda Fulcher and Kim Wilkins, director of the Chambers County Cooperative Extension Service for the State of Alabama, as well as Bryan Wilkins, Mrs. Wilkins husband and a Research Associate Horticulturist Department Agent. Fulcher reported at the December 10 Valley City Council Meeting on the conference and the potential of developing a local Farmers Market on the Historic Langdale Mill Complex. Ms. Fulcher stated that a Farmers Market could help draw visitors to Valley and the Greater Valley Area. This is one of the many exciting future plans that are being discussed for the Langdale Mill property.