For many of us, the start of summer means a visit to our local farmers’ market for some of the best produce we’ll have all year. Do you have a favorite market? Earlier last week, American Farmland Trust asked local markets to sign up to participate in a contest that could ultimately name them one of “America’s Favorite Farmers’ Markets.” The summer-long competition aims to see which farmers’ markets can generate the most votes from their customers. The goal of the contest is to promote the role that farmers’ markets play in keeping family farmers on the land.

American Farmland Trust holds this annual contest to raise national awareness about the importance of buying fresh food from local farms. “Farmers’ markets offer a great way for consumers to support local farms and farmers,” said American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl in a recent press release. “In addition to providing access to fresh, seasonal foods, farmers’ markets help strengthen our ties to the land where our food is grown and the people who grow it.”

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Although sweet summer is coming to a close, regional farmers’ markets are still going strong. Not all markets are created equal, however. Earlier this summer, American Farmland Trust asked local markets to sign up to participate in a contest that would ultimately be named “America’s Favorite Farmers’ Market.” Once that was completed, the organization polled readers across America: “Where is your favorite farmers’ market?” More than 94,000 votes were counted in four categories: boutique, small, medium and large markets.

American Farmland Trust holds this annual contest to raise national awareness about the importance of buying fresh food from local farms. “Farmers’ markets offer a great way for consumers to support local farms and farmers,” said American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl. “In addition to providing access to fresh, seasonal foods, farmers’ markets help strengthen our ties to the land where our food is grown and the people who grow it.”

Did your market take the #1 spot? The winners after the jump »