Certification for growers to participate in the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) will be held Thursday, May 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the Butler County Extension Office.

This will be primarily for those producers not certified last year.

However, it will be a good opportunity for those already certified if they do attend to review the rules and be reminded of the policies.

Those certifications issued in 2002 are still good; however, your Grower Permits must be renewed each year.

And this permit is required to cash FMNP vouchers.

In addition, the grower permit allows the producer to see products that they have grown without paying city, county, and state taxes.

This is solely for home grown fresh fruits and vegetables and not for processed foods or retail sales.

No retail sales will be permitted at the Farmers' Market.

Beginning this year the Alabama Department of Ag and Industries will handle FMNP certification.

Butler County is scheduled for one day only, on May 15, as stated above.

I urge you to mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Farmers' Market Opening Dates

The second season of the Butler County Farmers' Market will open in Greenville on Saturday, June 7 at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds and continue each Saturday and Tuesday mornings at this location into the fall.

In Georgiana, opening day will be Thursday, June 12, and continue each Thursday through the growing season.

Each location will open for business at 7:30 a.m. and growers will be on site until they sell out.

FMNP (Farmers' Market Nutrition Program) coupons will be available to senior citizens through the Senior Nutrition Centers in Greenville and Georgiana.

Senior citizens may want to call the centers ahead to be sure they carry the required information with them when they apply for the vouchers.

Rusty Parrish is the Butler County Extension Agent and can be reached at 382-5111.