We recently celebrated Maine Farmers’ Market Week in conjunction with the national week celebrated across the country. More than 100 farmers’ markets across the state offer fresh fruits, vegetables and meats directly from Maine farms to residents and tourists alike.

These markets give Maine farmers and other producers a chance to engage with customers directly. They also help support our state’s rural economy.

About 7,600 farms dot the Maine landscape. As a rural industry, farmers cultivate milk, cattle, pork and a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains, all within our state’s borders. And they do so on 1.3 million acres that span every county in our state.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine’s farming industry on average contributes $1.38 billion, or about 5 percent, to the state’s overall economy. The state’s major agricultural crops include potatoes and wild blueberries, the latter of which we are the largest producer in the world.

In fact, Maine farmers also produce the nation’s largest supply of brown eggs, they rank second in the nation for maple syrup, and the state is the second-largest producer of milk and livestock in New England.

I hope people remember their local farmer and look for locally grown products the next time they visit the produce aisle at the grocery store. And buying products at farmers’ markets helps support them directly.

Better yet, people should visit their local farm. Autumn signals more upcoming harvests, so go pick some apples and pumpkins.

I’m sure farmers would love to see the people.

Sen. Russell Black, Wilton

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