By Yankee Barn Homes Press Release (2/1/11)

One Deserving Farmers Market Will Win This Open Air Yankee Barn!

Yankee Barn Homes, the Farmers Market Coalition and the American Farmland Trust celebrate our nation’s farmers markets’ commitment to local economic development and healthy living with the first ever Farmers Market Great Barn Giveaway.

What is the Farmers Market Great Barn Giveaway?  Yankee Barn Homes applauds the Farmers Market Coalition and American Farmland Trust’s missions to strengthen farmers markets for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities, and the preserve farmland. Together with the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) and American Farmland Trust (AFT), Yankee Barn Homes is seeking an exceptional farmers market in need of a home.

Many farmers markets have no designated shelter in which to hold farmers market events.  An Open Air Yankee Barn will provide an attractive solution to one farmers market's need for a designated home.  Yankee Barn Homes will design and build the 24-ft x 36-ft open air barn structure pictured above for one deserving farmers market – the winner of this national contest. 

• Farmers markets are good for the local economy.  They support local job and business networks and help promote and maintain local employment.  And when we spend our money locally, our money circulates in our locality for a longer period of time. The "middle man" in the food distrubution system is cut out, so local farmers can get more money for their produce without an increased cost to the consumer.
• Farmers markets are good for the environment.  Farmers market produce and food travels far less by cargo freight, and there is much less wasteful packaging. And many small family farms that sell their goods at farmers markets practice organic farming. 
• Farmers markets are good for consumers.  Farmers markets make ingredients for a healthy diet readily accessible at an affordable price.  Farmers markets also strengthen the community atmosphere and local quality of life.
• Farmers markets help keep farmland in farming. We know that the more successful farmers markets are, the more their communities are able to save local farmland and sustain local farm and food systems. 

The contest begins on February 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm ET. Entries are due on May 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm ET. The judges will announce three finalists on August 1, 2011 during National Farmers Market Week at which time the public is invited to vote for the winner. The winner will be announced on August 29, 2011.  Construction of the Open Air Yankee Barn will begin in 2012 and end with a ground breaking ceremony.  The precise building schedule will be arranged between Yankee Barn Homes and the winning Farmers Market.  See Contest Details for more.

Visit Contest Details for more.  Submit your entry online.