Vox Pop - Farmers markets promote rural prosperity in Wisconsin

This week, USDA Rural Development Wisconsin is celebrating National Farmers Market Week.

I recently visited the Stevens Point Farmers Market and was, once again, impressed with the produce grown here in Wisconsin. Fields to farmers markets is a way of life here and one of the many reasons we are so fortunate to call Wisconsin home.

Located on the historic Mathias Mitchell Public Square, the Stevens Point Farmers Market is one of the longest running in Wisconsin. It was wonderful to experience the community coming together in one of the most historic places in our state.

National Farmers Market Week, August 3-9, 2025, highlights the importance of farmers markets here in Wisconsin and throughout the United States.

This week acknowledges how farmers markets bolster our local economies and preserve our rural heritage. They foster a more resilient food system, provide healthy eating options, and strengthen communities.

And that’s why The Great American Farmers Market is happening on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this week. This event unites farmers, ranchers and producers to showcase American agriculture. It reinforces our shared commitments to “Make Agriculture Great Again” and “Make America Healthy Again” and pays tribute to our nation’s growers.

The goals of the USDA Farmers Market Week outreach include:

• Commemorating America250: Celebrating agriculture’s vital role in shaping our nation’s past, present, and future through President Trump’s America250 initiative..

• Supporting Small Farmers: Creating direct sales opportunities and national exposure for small farms, which are the backbone of our country’s agricultural legacy.

• Championing American Made Goods: Showcasing high-quality, locally grown, raised, and handcrafted products from every corner of the United States.

• Promoting Healthy Living: Advancing the call to “Make America Healthy Again” through access to fresh produce and community-based nutrition education.

• Advancing Agricultural Education: Inspiring future generations with interactive learning, youth programs, and hands-on experiences rooted in American agriculture.

• Together, we are celebrating the enduring spirit of Wisconsin agriculture—from fields to farmers markets— strengthening our communities and growing a healthier, more connected state.

• There are over 300 farmers markets in Wisconsin. To locate one near you, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s online directory, www.USDA.gov/gafm.

— Andrew C. Iverson, State Director, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development