Local Ag Council
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The Champaign County Ag Association and the Local Foods Council have joined forces as the Local Ag Council committee under the Chamber of Commerce. Both organizations were working to enhance agricultural economic development and education to the community so joining forces made a lot of sense. The Local Ag Council has some major projects underway, including the creation of a commercial shared-use kitchen to be used by food entrepreneurs. The kitchen is being developed in cooperation with Graham Local Schools and will be housed in the high school cafeteria. A USDA Rural Development grant was received in 2018 to fund specialized equipment. The procurement of equipment is underway, though progress has been delayed because of the pandemic. Seeing no further delays, the Council hopes to open the kitchen for use in the fall of 2021.
This will be a big advantage for those with food businesses. Most kitchens of a similar purpose are only available in the major metropolitan areas of the state, which are not convenient for those in west-central Ohio. The Council would like to invite the community to help us come up with a name. If you have a creative name, please submit your ideas at http://go.osu.edu/KitchenName. Keep in mind this kitchen will be open for regional food producers (not just Champaign County) and catchy acronyms are great for shortening longer names. |
OUR COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKETS
The Champaign Locally Grown Virtual Market is the first market of its kind in the state of Ohio. Started with a grant from Activate Champaign County and the Champaign Family YMCA from the YMCA of the USA, this virtual farmers’ market has become a popular resource for our community. For local growers and producers who believe that shopping local is vital to our economy, and that eating healthy, locally-sourced food is vital to our personal health, Champaign Locally Grown is a great way to promote both missions.
Unlike other co-ops, buying clubs, or CSAs, Champaign Locally Grown customers order only what they want, in the quantities that they want, from the farms that they want. A weekly email lists the produce, milled products, fresh flowers, and artisan goods available that week, and you can browse the items on the website before you place your order.
Placing Orders
Each Thursday evening, the market opens and a list of available products is emailed to everyone with a Locally Grown account. Customers must place their order for the week any time after that email goes out, but no later than Wednesday at 8 a.m. Orders are placed on the Champaign Locally Grown website.
Picking Up Orders
From 4:30 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, customers can pick up their produce at the Champaign Family YMCA, 191 Community Drive, Urbana, OH, in the lobby.
Unlike other co-ops, buying clubs, or CSAs, Champaign Locally Grown customers order only what they want, in the quantities that they want, from the farms that they want. A weekly email lists the produce, milled products, fresh flowers, and artisan goods available that week, and you can browse the items on the website before you place your order.
Placing Orders
Each Thursday evening, the market opens and a list of available products is emailed to everyone with a Locally Grown account. Customers must place their order for the week any time after that email goes out, but no later than Wednesday at 8 a.m. Orders are placed on the Champaign Locally Grown website.
Picking Up Orders
From 4:30 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, customers can pick up their produce at the Champaign Family YMCA, 191 Community Drive, Urbana, OH, in the lobby.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
Jeff Conley, Market Managers
Urbana, Ohio
Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The Champaign County Farmers Market, established in 1998, gives area residents easy access to locally grown produce. In 2010, the market was honored by being named one of “America’s Favorite Farmers Markets” by the American Farmland Trust.
The market has 22 active vendors offering a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, jams & jellies, eggs, baked goods, dairy products, fresh herbs & herb products, and much more. Seasonal offerings include bedding and perennial plants in the spring and mums, pumpkins, and gourds in the fall. Customers can also find local arts and crafts while enjoying music provided by the Champaign County Dulcimer Club and the Branchwater Band.
Vendors can pay for spaces on a weekly basis, in 3-month intervals, or for the full season. The market opens the first weekend in May and operates on Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon through the last weekend in October.
Urbana, Ohio
Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The Champaign County Farmers Market, established in 1998, gives area residents easy access to locally grown produce. In 2010, the market was honored by being named one of “America’s Favorite Farmers Markets” by the American Farmland Trust.
The market has 22 active vendors offering a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, jams & jellies, eggs, baked goods, dairy products, fresh herbs & herb products, and much more. Seasonal offerings include bedding and perennial plants in the spring and mums, pumpkins, and gourds in the fall. Customers can also find local arts and crafts while enjoying music provided by the Champaign County Dulcimer Club and the Branchwater Band.
Vendors can pay for spaces on a weekly basis, in 3-month intervals, or for the full season. The market opens the first weekend in May and operates on Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon through the last weekend in October.
St. Paris Farmers Market
Lisa and Ron Prince, Market Managers
St. Paris, Ohio
Fridays from 2:30 - 6 p.m.
Lisa and Ron are the managers of the St. Paris Farmers Market. They are members of Ohio Proud and the Farmers Market Manager Network. The market is conveniently located at the Municipal Building on Main Street in St. Paris. There is plenty of parking on both sides of the building, across the main road, and right in front of the Market. They also provide handicap curb side service. The Market started back in 2009 with a very slow start, then Lisa and Ron took over as managers in 2011.
The Market begins the first Friday in May and runs through the second week in October on Fridays from 2:30 - 6 p.m., rain or shine. They have a variety of products including fresh local seasonal produce, honey, dairy products, cleaning products, homemade baked goods, fudge, hard tack candy and more.
St. Paris, Ohio
Fridays from 2:30 - 6 p.m.
Lisa and Ron are the managers of the St. Paris Farmers Market. They are members of Ohio Proud and the Farmers Market Manager Network. The market is conveniently located at the Municipal Building on Main Street in St. Paris. There is plenty of parking on both sides of the building, across the main road, and right in front of the Market. They also provide handicap curb side service. The Market started back in 2009 with a very slow start, then Lisa and Ron took over as managers in 2011.
The Market begins the first Friday in May and runs through the second week in October on Fridays from 2:30 - 6 p.m., rain or shine. They have a variety of products including fresh local seasonal produce, honey, dairy products, cleaning products, homemade baked goods, fudge, hard tack candy and more.
