By RYAN SKAITH
St. Joseph Post
The second annual Taste of Northwest Missouri Agriculture Market will take place November 16th in Maryville.
The event is a partnership between Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri Extension.
Denice Ferguson, with MU Extension, says the goal is to work with ag entrepreneurs in the region. “We started the event to work with ag entrepeneurs to provide an environment where we do all the marketing. We’ve partnered with Northwest because its the culmination of their agricultural week, where they celebrate everything ag.”
Ferguson adds the market is still looking for vendors to participate. She says it’s a good way for vendors to get feedback on their products. “We give the vendors a small compensation because we’ve asked them to do some sort of sampling. We want them to sample whatever their products are. Then we ask the attendees to fill out a very brief questionare to give the vendors feedback.”
Ferguson goes on to say the market is especially in need of vendors who offer ‘added-value’ products. “Added-value is where you’ve taken something you’ve grown or produced and you do some sort of processing. It could be something as simple as vegatables where they are preserved or pickled.”
As the grand finale to celebrate Agriculture Week, the market serves a way to highlight the rich diversity of regional farm and food ventures. The event is hosted by MAFFIC and the Northwest Missouri State University Agriculture Department.
Interested vendors should contact Denice Ferguson at (816) 279-1691 or visit muext.us/tasteofnw.
The Taste of Northwest Missouri Agricultural Market takes place from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m., November 16, at the Agricultural Learning Center in Maryville.
