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Dear Editor:

With but three short weeks left before the Maryville Farmers' Market closes its 2009 season, it is time to look back at a most successful year. We have been blessed by the many local farmers who have brought their fresh, high quality fruits and vegetables to the Market on every Saturday morning and more recently also to Alcoa on Wednesday late afternoons. One of the Market's slogans is that "Fresh is Best" and we have certainly supported that in 2009. Both our farmers and the Market have been well-supported by John Wilson at the Blount County Agricultural Extension Service and the Blount County Farm Bureau. Market Manager Chip Ramsey has displayed his professional expertise by maintaining a beautifully-run Maryville Farmers' Market.

A growing, popular market needs space and an accessible location. We are grateful to the City of Maryville for providing easily accessible space for the Saturday markets and to Anderson Lumber for providing highly visible space for our relatively new Wednesday markets. The Habitat for Humanity Restore across the street from the Saturday Market has provided needed restroom facilities and we are most appreciative.

Besides being a place where people may purchase high-quality food items, the Saturday Market is also a community event - a place where families may stroll, listen to great music by local musicians, ask and have their gardening questions answered by knowledgeable Master Gardeners, and participate in contests, chef creations, and events for both children and adults.

Special thanks to Bernice and Jerry Kincannon for handling all the music arrangements and insuring such great sounds. Without our volunteers, we would not be able to provide the events and learning opportunities that make the Market such an asset to the community. The Maryville Farmers' Market is truly a wonderful example of how people with different backgrounds and interests can come together to create a resource that benefits the whole community.

Finally, every market needs to be visible in the community. We have relied on The Daily Times through substantial and well-designed advertising as well as news coverage to insure that the Market's goods and programs can be well-known throughout Blount County. Thanks to our many customers whose positive word-of-mouth has strengthened the Market and our community.

Fresh (and local) really is best. Thanks to all who have made such a successful Farmers' Market.

Sincerely,

Shelly W. Robinson, President

Maryville Farmers' Market Board

On behalf of the Board

1109 Hurstbourne Lane

Maryville, TN 37803