More and more farmers markets cropped up around the wiregrass last year.  However, in a few short weeks, people in our area could receive seasonal Alabama grown fruits and vegetables without any chemicals year round.  It's all because Grow Alabama is coming to the wiregrass. 

After Headland's fall farmers market closed up shop, it got Amanda Mueller thinking about where she could get locally grown vegetables and fruits year round.  Before long, she found Grow Alabama."It just supports the local economy.  It supports these farmers, and the greater demand we create the more they can supply...and the economic multiplier effect on this is tremendous," said Mueller.  

Grow Alabama started in Birmingham as a way for local farmers to reach their area. Now, from Birmingham to Montgomery, people are eating in season, eating locally, and eating chemical free.  In a few short weeks, the wiregrass will extend the business that much further.  "This is going to make us richer in so many ways, not only monetarily, but health and environmentally as well," explained Mueller.  She is spreading the word in Henry County and it did not take long before Sarah Williams in Abbeville to jump on board.

"We need to pay attention to the small farmers, and support the small farmers in our area..We want to encourage them and not discourage them," said Williams.  Williams believes this will encourage not only farmers, but the produce will promote a healthy lifestyle in our area.  "Part of a healthy diet is to eat locally so your carbon footprint is small, but also to eat seasonally."

Each week people could receive a seasonal array of Alabama grown fruits and vegetables delivered within twenty-four to forty-eight hours of harvest.  If you want to sign up, the informational meeting is next Thursday at 6PM. The meeting will be held at the Auburn Wiregrass Experiment State on the corner of Highway 431 North and Highway 134 East in Headland.