Top 5 State Leaders Unveiled In America's Favorite Farmers Markets™ Contest

Vote for Your Favorite Farmers Market at www.votemyfarmersmarket.org

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Farmland Trust today released vote counts revealing the five markets in every state that are leading the America's Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest. The standings are available at http://www.votemyfarmersmarket.org/.  

More than 7,000 markets across America are competing in American Farmland Trust's fourth annual contest that began in July and runs throughout the summer.  The contest ends at midnight Eastern time on Labor Day (Sept. 3) when four winning markets—one small, one medium, one mid-sized, and one large—will receive the title of America's Favorite Farmers Market for 2012.  The winning markets will be featured in the media and will be honored at local celebrations organized by American Farmland Trust. A certificate will also be awarded to the top vote-getters in each state.

The goal of the America's Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest is to promote the role that farmers markets play in keeping family farmers on the land.

"Our country has been losing more than an acre of farmland every minute, and that irreplaceable land is disappearing most rapidly in areas where our fruits and vegetables are grown," said American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl.  "Farmers markets help curb this problem by strengthening family farms."

According to the contest rules, people can vote for as many participating farmers markets as they choose, but can only vote for each market once.  After voting, people have the opportunity to leave comments about why they value their local farmers markets.

"Our market is a great incubator for local food-based small businesses," wrote a voter from Ohio.  According to a Washington voter, "There used to be dozens of dairy farms, now they're empty, abandoned fields or new suburban homes."  A Tennessee voter commented, "Our farmers market was formed so farmers would have a place to sell their produce and thus be able to keep the farm."

In concert with the America's Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest, farmers can submit an essay to win the Farmers Market Inspiration Award. The $1,000 prize will be awarded to a farmer showing the greatest dedication to his market by the Farmers Market Coalition in partnership with Growing for Market magazine and American Farmland Trust. Farmer nominations will be accepted through August 11^th, 2012.

For more information about the America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest or to vote, visit www.votemyfarmersmarket.org.

American Farmland Trust is the nation's leading conservation organization dedicated to protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. Since its founding in 1980 by a group of farmers and citizens concerned about the rapid loss of farmland to development, AFT has helped save millions of acres of farmland from development and led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more.

AFT's national office is located in Washington, DC. Phone: 202-331-7300.  For more information, visit www.farmland.org.

CONTACT: Gretchen Mais, [email protected], +1-202-378-1251

SOURCE American Farmland Trust