I would like to invite you to join the new "Friends of the Market," a volunteer pool for the Iowa City Farmers Market. There are lots of little jobs to do, almost all of which can be done on your own time. If you are interested in helping us out, please contact Meggan Fisher. Please spread the word about this event and attend with your friends and family.

I would also like to encourage everyone to consider joining the FFM for the 2009 market season. Below is a list of the activities we foresee the FFM doing. If you are interested in being kept up to date on the activities of this group, please respond to be added to my email distribution list. Although we will have periodic meetings, attendance is not requisite to join the FFM.

What will The Friends do?

- Help plan fundraisers for the market

- Regular promotions and advertising

- Finding and securing sponsorship for the market

- Monthly newsletter and weekly e-newsletter

- Website work

- Develop new Farmers Market cookbook, and other new merchandise

- Assess the success of the market

- Provide hands on assistance at the market

- And much more!

Volunteers could choose to participate once, or volunteer regularly throughout the season. We are also looking into the possibility of transforming this group into a separate non-profit foundation. The market is so important to this community. Volunteering your time is a great way to help grow this market. I welcome general input on the direction and operation of the market. Please pass this information on to anyone else you think may have an interest in joining in the discussion.

Meggan Fisher

farmersmarket@iowa-city.org

• contact Meggan Fisher farmersmarket@iowa-city.org