I am the day to day manager of a nonprofit farmers' market that was founded in February, 2008 with the mission of growing and sustaining a local food economy in and around Pass Christian, Mississippi. We provide a venue for small farmers and other producers to be entrepreneurs and sell their products directly to the public. We educate the public about the importance of supporting local farmers and sustainable farming practices. We take part in the USDA Farmers Market Nutrition Program and we are active in local food drives.

I spend approximately 20 hours per week year round as a volunteer on market management, publicity, public relations, vendor relations, market promotion, education, etc. I love this volunteer work because we are helping to further sustainable farming practices which protect and preserve the environment; we are directly helping families to be entrepreneurs and to do the work they love; and we are directly benefitting the local economy.