!4—Lancaster Farming. Saturday. Oct. 25. 1975 2 Farmers market termed success By Dieter Kricg HARRISBURG - The Farmers Market at the Farm Show Complex parking lot, which has been in operation since July 15, is nearing the end of its first season and is being dubbed a success by vegetable growers who have par ticipated. Conceived by the Penn sylvania Department of Agriculture, the market has been in operation every Tuesday and Friday rain or shine and has attracted farmers from more than 50 miles away During the peak of the season, more than 40 vegetable and fruit growers took part in the program Now. near the end of Oc tober, with the days of the market numbered, only 14 remain Participating farmers liked a number of things about the sales facilities, but also had some suggestions for improvements Regardless of their feelings they all indicated a willingness and even an eagerness to participate again next year Earl Miller of Dover R 3. for example, thinks retailing is the only answer Owner of a 10-acre vegetable farm and 100 hives of bees, he sells all of his products directly to the consumer cither in Harrisburg or at his stand in York. This year he moved approximately half of his produce through the Farm Show lot. “I estimate a couple thousand people came through here in a week when we were really busy." said Ernest Rethcrford. a farmer from Middletown R 1 who specializes in watermelons and cantaloupes He took about 10 per cent of his produce to the Harrisburg market this year and is hopeful of bnnemg more next year if the facilities open earlier next year Weather seemed to be one ot the major nroblems the farmers had at the open marKet maee Heavy rains a few weeks ago reallv hurt them, they said adding that light rams weren t too bad On a particularly rainy day w e can count on taking per cent of our produce home we don't even bother to unload." one fellow said Robert Morgan travels 55 miles one way from his 10- acre vegetable farm near Pitman He told Lancaster Farming he sells all he can at the Farm Show and peddles the rest door-to-door in the Pitman area Besides that, he also maintains a stand at his farm When The Farmers Market at the Farm Show Complex Agriculture, the open-air market is now concluding parking lot has been a success according to its first season, and farmers who took part hope it vegetable growers who participated in it. Con- will go on again next year, ceived by the Pennsylvania Department of asked what the market needs most to be improved. Morgan unhesitatingly responded ‘‘more customers ” “I haven’t missed a day thusiastically as he fetched a located about 55 miles yet,” Robert Wedde stated bag for a customer. “This is northeast of Harrisburg. He with a bit of pride when he the coming thing,” he says he tends two other was asked how long he had continued, “people want markets besides the one at been coming to Harrisburg fresh vegetables.” the Farm Show, but sells to sell his produce. “I like it Wedde has a 30-acre nearly three-quarters of his real well, it’s a good vegetable farm near Begins, market,” he said en- Schuylkill County, which is EASTLAND HYBRID FIELD CORN Available Now! Also; LEGUMES, SMALL GRAINS & SOYBEANS ★ ORDER NOW FROM YOUR NEAREST DEALER * BAUMGARTNER ENTERPRISES CHARLES DIEHL Kunkletown PA Bangor PA 717 629 0471 215 588 2782 ELMER K BEILER Lancaster PA 717 392 9579 THEODORE BLEW Flemmgton NJ 201 782 9618 LUTHER BITTNER Catawissa PA 717 799 5502 LEON BRODT Ackermanville PA 215 588 3264 IVAN BURKHOLDER Danville PA 717 437 2212 JACOB BURKHOLDER FRANKLIN HEINY Denver PA Walnutport PA 215 267 6692 215 767 3588 SEEM SEED FARMS "Developed & Produced In Penna. for Penna. Growing Conditions" CHRIST ESH Honey Brook PA 215 942 2657 GALEN FETZER Lewisburg PA 717 523 7482 ROBERT GEIGER Germanville PA 215 767 2490 DAVID COVER Lutherville MD 301 252 3235 PAUL HANNUM Chester Springs PA 215 363 7655 RDi Pall /oi c\ Qcc Emmaus, PA 18049 Call (215) 965-5072 or (215) 967-4131 I Continued on Page 26| KNUD HERMANSEN York Springs PA 717 528 4767 R WAYNE JONES JOSEPH SCHOTT Carlisle PA Lebanon PA 717-249 3290 717 273 3506 W DAVID KELLER JOHN SCHWARTZ Hummelslown PA Erwmna PA 717 566-0529 215 294 9377 EMORY MARTIN WILLIAM STAHL Waynesboro PA Loysville PA 717 762-2088 717 789 3244 MELVIN MAST SAMUEL STOLTZFUS Parkesburg PA Fleetwood PA 215 857 3272 215 944 780 s ? JAMES RAUCH TYRONES WEHRY Frenchtown NJ Pitman PA 201 996 4357 717 648 9007 PAULF REIDENHOUR, JR Hamburg PA 215 562 7667 DENNIS ROOHR Bordentown NJ 609 298 7059 MARVIN WRIGLEY Cochranville PA 215 869 9267