Thousands Support Local Economy At Meet The Farmers

4 April, 2025 – HARWICH, MA – After a post-pandemic hiatus, Meet The Farmers gathered visitors and animals alike in Harwich for all things local. But what is the state of agriculture on Cape Cod today, and how do our farmers impact the local economy?

What Is Meet The Farmers?

Smooth honey, crisp produce, seafood fresh from the Atlantic and pasture raised meat made their way from farm to table through 40 vendors and almost 2000 visitors at Meet The Farmers, in Harwich Community Center, 29 March.

"We really do still have farming on Cape Cod," says Gretel Norgeot, President of the Orleans' Farmers' Market and co-organizer of Meet The Farmers.

"It's the start of the season for a lot of the markets, and it gets people in the mood, I think for shopping local."

Buying food straight from the farmers strengthens not only nutritional health but boosts local economy. Norgeot says Orleans' Farmers' Market has acted as an incubator for new businesses, wanting to try the state of demand for their products before going full scale.

"Over the last 30 Years since 1994, we've had over 130 different farm businesses go through the farmer's market," says Norgeot. "A lot of the farms were much smaller then, but because of the people shopping and the demand, it increases their business."

Is Farmers Markets Important?

Agriculture has deep roots on Cape Cod, with its signature crops such as Falmouth strawberries and Eastham turnip. What do our farmers mean for the regional economy today? Francie Randolph, Founding Director of the nonprofit Sustainable Cape explains how buying local food trickles down into our towns.

"When we have a farmers' market in a town center, there's something called the economic boost. So it draws a lot of people there and all of the surrounding businesses get a bump in that day," says Randolph. "So for instance at the Truro Farmers' Market, we know that there's a local store right adjacent to the market – that store considers our Monday just like a weekend day. The sales are measured with a Saturday and a Sunday. So now we've brought increased business to the surrounding businesses just by being there."

Cape Cod's agriculture also means better food security. Francie Randolph says there 20,000 Cape Codders experience food insecurity, the majority of them are children.

How Many Farms Do Cape Cod Have?

There are 349 land farms and 241 aquaculture farms on Cape Cod, according to 2022 census. A third of Cape Cod’s 600 farmers are women. The land farms make up seven percent of the state's agricultural sale. Between 2017 and 2022 Cape Cod had an increase of nine new farms, but the acres of farmland decreased by 40%

Agriculture drives regional economy substantially, according to Tara Racine, Program Coordinator for Buy Fresh Buy Local by Barnstable County.

"A lot of farmers donate to local programs, local food pantries. We can help keep our food system strong and healthy by supporting farmers and then also support them in all the good work they do for our community," Racine says.

"The state of Massachusetts defines aquaculture also as being part of agriculture. (...) It's an important part of our economy and brings millions of dollars to the state agricultural economy as well. I know that statewide it's over 600 million in agricultural goods in the value of agricultural goods. And then in Barnstable County alone,
it's 400 million annually, so a lot of our economy is driven by our food production."