What better time to enjoy and appreciate regionally grown foods than the summer months! With farmers markets throughout the nation welcoming back warm weather and familiar faces, it is a perfect time to celebrate fresh, healthy food grown close to home. This summer, you can support farms, farmers and local economies by casting your vote for America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™. Between 2002 and 2007 we lost 4,080,300 acres of agricultural land-an area nearly the size of Massachusetts! This contest aims to bring a greater awareness to the vital need to preserve America’s farmland and the food systems they sustain.  Show your support by clicking the button below and voting for your favorite markets! At the end of the contest, one boutique, small, medium, and large farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2010. Winners in each category will receive a supply of No Farms No Food® tote bags, free printing services from igreenprint and free graphic design services from Virginia-based design firm, SQN Communications.  Additionally, the contest provides outreach tools for all participating market managers to use to connect with customers, community leaders and local media. Last year, nearly 30,000 individuals lent their support to local farms and communities by participating in the contest. Help make a greater impact this year by adding your vote and spreading the word to other market customers.  To learn more about the contest, hear from last year’s winners or visit the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest website.  And remember: if we don’t have farms, we won’t have food, so vote for your favorite market and help keep support for local foods growing! [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="246" caption="Click the Image to Vote!"][/caption] About the Author: Gretchen Hoffman is Manager of Engagement and Communications at American Farmland Trust and your contact for all things contest related.  She can be reached at ghoffman@farmland.org