date:May 18, 2012
t connect farmers and consumers, and promoting the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products.
Merrigan highlighted how USDA's efforts to strengthen local and regional food systems could spur economic development in Solano County by helping farmers of all types and sizes take advantage of new opportunities and succeed in today's diverse marketplace. The dramatic growth of local food markets over the past few years has spurred job growth in local food production and rela