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Show your appreciation for farmers next week

From Sept. 8 to 15 the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets is celebrating the province's farmers

Next week is Farmers Appreciation Week. From Sept. 8 to 15 the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets is celebrating the province's farmers like the Cranbrook Farmers' Market this Saturday.

This is the fifth year for the appreciation week.

This year marks the return of the Ode to A Farmer contest.

The association is asking everyone to show their appreciation for local farmers by writing a poem. The entry will give you a chance to win $150 spending money for your favourite B.C. farmers' market.

Elizabeth Quinn, executive director of the farmer's market association said that she's seen British Columbians become increasingly passionate about buying local and fresh goods.

"Farmers Appreciation Week is an annual time to appreciate our farmers for growing fresh food close to home," Quinn said.

Six winners will be selected in the contest, a grand prize winner of $150, plus a winning poem in each region of B.C. with a prize of $50. Submissions will be accepted online or by mail until Sunday, Sept. 7 at 11:59 p.m.

"BC farmers are our best source for fresh, healthy, local food," said Jon Bell, president of the association.

Bell said Farmers Appreciation Week is an opportunity to express gratitude and recognize the thousands of B.C. farmers contributing to local communities and local economies.

Bell urged everyone to demonstrate support for local farmers and ranchers by choosing local produce during the week. He suggested buying things like wine, cheese, fruit, vegetables and meat from the local farmers' market, farm stand or retail outlets.

The B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets is a not-for-profit association that represents over 125 farmers' markets across the province and works to support, develop and promote farmers' markets in all regions of B.C.