Morrisville State touts goods at Norwich campus farmers market

A variety of local goods are being touted at a new indoor farmers market at the Norwich Campus of Morrisville State.



The market, made possible through an annual faculty/staff research grant, is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., from now through mid-March. Agricultural business students and early childhood students are responsible for managing the college's booth, which includes Morrisville Fresh products, such as Road Kill Slather sauces, Sweet and Spicy Apple Mustard, Maple Madness (topping for fruits and ice cream), cheese curds and trail mix. Morrisville Fresh is the operating entity of the agricultural business program.



Through Morrisville Fresh, students are responsible for making products and seeing them to fruition. Production, labeling and marketing are done by the students with assistance from Nelson Farms, a unique combination of business incubator, food product processing facility and hands-on academic classroom facility run by the Morrisville Auxiliary Corporation (MAC).



Vendors' products at the market range from lamb, goat, chicken, baked goods, fresh herbs, greens, cheese curds, and winter produce, to homemade crafts and soaps.



Sheila Marshman, assistant professor of agricultural business, hopes the market will help increase community education and direct participation in the local food system.



“We hope to stimulate the rural economy by creating and encouraging agricultural entrepreneurial activities for students and community members,” she said.



The market is also providing students with a true experiential learning opportunity while creating new markets for area producers/growers.



Students are also involved with social media efforts to promote the market.



“We have found a need for the vendors to better utilize social media to promote their business ventures,” Marshman said.



With that in mind, the college is hosting a free social media training session for area producers/growers on Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. in Follett Hall at the Norwich Campus. For more information or to register, e-mail marshmsa@morrisville.edu or call 607.244.5539.