Fairfield Farmers Market to host live music, educational programs in August

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Farmers Market invites the public to attend a couple of special events the organization is sponsoring in August.

For the Saturday, Aug. 7, market in Howard Park, the Southeast Iowa Sierra Club will hold a program on “Keeping the Green Out of Our Waste.” The program will focus on composting, vermiculture (worms) and gardening. This event was originally scheduled for July 10 but had to be postponed due to rain.

Live music will be provided that day courtesy of Lee Klett. Klett is a member of the band The Boys, which performed July 14 at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. Klett will perform from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Three weeks later on Aug. 28, the Jefferson County ISU Extension Office will hold a program from 9 a.m. to noon at Howard Park on pressure canning. Residents are invited to bring their pressure canners to the market for free testing of their dial gauge. They will have a chance to see food preservation equipment and learn about related resources.

“People are ‘rediscovering’ the benefits and fresh taste of home gardening and want to preserve that bounty to enjoy throughout the year by freezing, drying or canning those foods,” said Sara Sprouse, ISU Extension and Outreach specialist who will lead the program. “Since 2006, there have been new canning recommendations that everyone should be aware of when canning at home.”

To help promote healthy and locally grown food, Fairfield Mayor Connie Boyer issued a proclamation declaring Aug. 1-7 “Fairfield, Iowa, Farmers Market Week,” in conjunction with the observance of National Farmers Market Week. In her proclamation, Boyer said farmers markets contribute about $9 billion each year to the U.S. economy.

The Fairfield Farmers Market meets twice a week during the warm months from May through October, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Howard Park and from 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays in Central Park.