East Lansing
East Lansing Farmers Market is important to local farmers
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The East Lansing Farmers Market has an estimated 1000 visitors each Sunday during its operating months. Phil Throop, owner of Wildflower Eco Farm, has been a vendor for the East Lansing Farmers Market since its opening, 11 years ago, but he has been farming for market much longer, close to 16 years. One thing Throop has found after over a decade of farming for market: “You don’t get into this unless you’re obsessed… it’s more of an addition in any case.”
Another thing Throop has found: “It’s not a very profitable business.”
New technology regarding various types of greenhouses and sources of heating make it possible to grow year-round. However, his ability to produce 12 months a year has little impact on the ability to turn a profit during all those months. Instead, the root of the problem is something else entirely.