Homer Alaska - Business

But let's face it, our Farmers' Market producers could never feed the entire town of Homer. For the local food economy to get bigger, we would need more producers.

To get more producers, we would need to prove that farming here is a viable trade. To be a viable trade, we need to identify steady markets and have a supportive population that appreciates the value of local food.

And for new entrepreneurs entering farming, it would be nice to know a network of people to connect to for answers to those questions that plague the beginner.

Hmmm … sounds like we need to develop some kind of Local Food Network.

Which is exactly what is brewing. Starting this November, the Homer Farmers' Market will be getting a VISTA to start work on developing a Local Food Network. A VISTA, or a Volunteer In Service To America, doesn't make much money, but gets to work on a variety of inspiring community projects.

This VISTA position will be working with farmers and others around the community to promote the benefits of local food and identify connections, programs and information that can make our local food systems stronger.

The job applications are already coming in from all around the United States. The deadline for applications is Sept. 13, so pass the word on to those interested in such a position. A link to the online application can be found at the HomerFarmersMarket.org website.

And as this Network develops our farmers will keep working. So head down to the Farmers' Market on Ocean Drive on Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Wednesday from 3-6 p.m. and wish your hard-working farmers a happy Labor Day.

Kyra Wagner is the director of Sustainable Homer and the Homer Farmers' Market's biggest fan. She can be reached at kyra@ sustainablehomer.org.