Vote for Your Favorite Farmers Market

We all know Alexandrians love their farmers markets.

American Farmland Trust is kicking off its fourth annual America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest on Friday at noon.

The summer-long competition seeks to find out which farmers markets can generate the most votes from their customers. The goal of the contest is to promote the role that farmers markets play in keeping family farmers on the land, according to the Trust.  

In Alexandria, residents and visitors can choose from one of the nation's oldest , the Del Ray Farmers Market, Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market, and the West End Farmers Market.

The 2012 contest has been expanded to include all 7,175 markets that are listed in the Department of Agriculture’s National Farmers Market Directory. As part of the contest, a $1,000 Farmers Market Inspiration Award will be presented to a farmer who shows great dedication to his or her market.

Market fans can vote for as many participating farmers markets as they choose, but can only vote for each market once. Voting runs through midnight on Sept. 3, when one small, one medium, one mid-size and one large market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2012.

The winning markets will be honored at local celebrations organized by American Farmland Trust.

For more information about the 2012 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest or to vote, visit www.votemyfarmersmarket.org.