Traveling hundreds – or thousands – of miles to display and sell products at a farmers market is not something that’s done every day. But more than 30 farmers and ranchers did just that during National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 3-8) in our nation’s capital.

USDA hosted the Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to showcase agriculture. Several farmer and rancher Farm Bureau members and state organizations participated, including the Utah Farm Bureau. The event was also part of the kickoff of America 250, honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

The event, held daily from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the commemorative week, captured the attention of office workers heading for home, tourists, and families out for a stroll. Offerings included farm-fresh produce and food, handcrafted goods, and specialty items.

Tyson Roberts, Utah Farm Bureau Vice President, at the Utah Farm Bureau booth

“This has been a great opportunity to talk with people here in the nation’s capital about food production,” said Tyson Roberts, Utah Farm Bureau Vice President and a produce farmer from Layton. “I make my living at farmers markets. I love interacting with people and sharing about where food comes from. It was great to bring some of our great products from Utah and talk to people from all over the country – and really all over the world. It was a really neat opportunity.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins officially kicked off the inaugural Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall, within sight of the Washington Monument, with an evening of festivities honoring America’s farmers, freedom, and 250 years of agricultural heritage. The event also tied back to recognizing farmers markets in Utah, where additional America250 materials were shared.


“[We] launched the inaugural Great American Farmers Market to honor our agricultural heritage and stand shoulder to shoulder with today’s producers who continue in that tradition to feed and fuel our nation,” Rollins said. 

Roberts Farms supplied popcorn on the cob and garlic to sell, while McMullin Orchards of Payson, Utah, was also represented and sold peaches and handed out small packets of dried tart cherries to guests.

“I grow fresh market vegetables and sell them at farmers markets, but really, our commodity is the people that buy them, so it’s always a great opportunity to talk to people and it’s an opportunity to teach them about agriculture,” Roberts said. “Rather than going to the grocery store and buying what’s on the shelf, gain a relationship with the people who produce the food.”

Getting the produce to Washington and setting up for a farmers market was the first logistical challenge. To keep produce intact, peaches were packed in cushioned cases and then repacked in suitcases to make the trip, with most of them surviving the journey. Visitors to the Utah Farm Bureau booth declared the peaches to be the best ones they’ve ever had. In addition to the produce, conversations were had with customers and others about Utah agriculture, the challenges farmers are facing, and more.

In addition to tourists and families out for an evening during the unusually mild summer evening, office workers heading home for the day stopped by to check out the more than 35 booths on the mall. This included staffers from several Utah congressional offices, even though congressional members and many staff had departed Washington because of the congressional recess. Beyond Utah’s delegation, staffers of other congressional offices that hailed from Utah also stopped by to get a taste of home.


“There are many fantastic farmers markets throughout Utah, including the two that Utah Farm Bureau runs, but this was a really iconic location,” Roberts said. “This was just a different kind of opportunity, to meet the people who are eating our products in this special place. It was an honor to represent Utah Farm Bureau and agriculture in general.”

In addition to participating in two days of the market, Roberts and Utah Farm Bureau staff visited with the offices of Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Blake Moore. Their staffers visited on issues related to labor, trade, and the overall message of the farm economy and its impacts on farm and ranch families in Utah.

Roberts (left) visits with Rebekah Rodriguez, Legislative Director for Congressman Blake Moore.

“Even though the congressional members were away on recess, they made their staffs available, and we all know they do a lot of the work to support our senators and representatives. We appreciated their willingness to meet with us,” Roberts said. “We shared a message of what farmers and ranchers are doing in agriculture to produce healthy products for Utahns, and that we feed our families on the same things we grow for others. It is a big responsibility to produce healthy food, but we’re up to the task.”

The event ran through that first week in August and, due to its success, is likely to be repeated. The event showcased Utah Farm Bureau’s efforts to promote agriculture and engage with consumers and government leaders to ensure the “miracle of agriculture” continues in Utah.