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	In Part 3 of their conversation about local food, former Au Sable Graduate Fellows Dave Timmer and Brook Wilke discuss farmers markets as community development by drawing on their experiences running local farmers markets. Catch up on <a href="/news_and_resources/blog/conversations_local_agriculture_and_the_church#.T9Ytzb93ZiA">Part 1</a> and <a href="/news_and_resources/blog/conversations_whats_local_food#.T9Ytmb93ZiA">Part 2</a>.</p>
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	<strong><img alt="" class="border-left" src="{filedir_5}Richland-Farmers-Market-200pxl(1).jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 128px; float: right;" />Dave Timmer</strong>: Brook, starting a farmers market tends to be more community development rather than conservation, but there is a connection. Being involved in a market (and specifically organizing one) connects you to a lot of people - a wide diversity of people (politically, religiously, experientially). But a common thread amongst them tends to be an affinity for a place. What I mean by that is the people involved in a market (craft vendors, produce vendors, city officials, customers, etc.) seem to have a deliberate connection to the place where they live. There is a recognition of the importance of community involvement and strengthening that community. I think a farmers market is a key component of a strong local food system and a strengthening local economy.</p>
