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Farm stands now offering Oregon's agricultural bounty
06/24/2009
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Over the next several months, Oregonians will be able to enjoy farm fresh products from any of the hundreds of roadside stands located throughout the state:  

 
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Audio 01
Chances are good that you've seen them and probably have stopped to buy something:

BARTON:  "Some people call them farm stands and sometimes they are called roadside stands. But basically, they are someone who has a farm or orchard or ranch, and they are wanting to set up and sell their products directly to consumers."  :13


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Audio 02
Laura Barton of the Oregon Department of Agriculture says there are more than 400 farm stands in Oregon offering seasonal favorites from berries to apples to melons. They have many of the same advantages as farmers' markets. But some producers like them better:

BARTON:  "They are able to stay there on the farm and the customers come to them. Another advantage is that they will make all the money. They are growing the product and selling it, so there is no middleman."  :10


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In some cases, the farm stands are conveniently located. Others are off the beaten track. But consumers from now until the fall can find a number of farms, ranches, or orchards in nearly all 36 counties that offer direct sale of what is produced on site. In Salem, I'm Bruce Pokarney.  


Additional audio: Audio 03
BARTON says you can find farm stands throughout the state, but a higher concentration are obviously in areas where there is more agriculture:

"Right now we have about 400 farm stands in Oregon. You'll find the predominant number will be in heavily agricultural areas such as Marion County and Lane County, etc."  :13


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Additional audio: Audio 04
BARTON says Oregonians have many good reasons for doing some shopping this summer at the many farm stands around the state:

"To the consumer, it means a product that is very, very fresh. They know they can actually get to know the person who is making the product. It also creates a great experience to visit a farm and breathe the fresh air out there and see where the products are being grown."  :18


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Full story
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/090624farmstands.shtml

Page updated: June 24, 2009