TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Good food and good music will abound when Homegrown Alabama, a University of Alabama student group, brings an open-air market to the Ferguson Center Plaza on campus Thursday, Sept.13 from 3-6:30 p.m.

This is the second on-campus farmers market hosted by Homegrown Alabama in collaboration with the UA Office of Community Affairs, Ferguson Center, Bama Dining and the Alabama Farmers Market Authority (http://www.fma.state.al.us/).

Homegrown Alabama seeks to educate students about the value of local produce as well as to foster partnerships between local farmers and the University. “The market is an excellent opportunity for students to interact with area farmers and support our local economy,” said Christopher Spencer, associate director of community development in the UA Center for Community-Based Partnerships.

The Alabama Blues Project, featuring Debbie Bond and Radiator Rick, will perform during the market. Fourteen farmers and vendors from around the state will sell sweet potatoes, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes, melons, peaches, okra, jars of home-prepared honey, jams and jellies, fresh pastries, eggs and plants.

Homegrown Alabama and the Alabama Farmers Market Authority are partnering to sell “Buy Fresh/ Buy Local” T-shirts and tote bags. Bama Dining will provide a drink kiosk.

Homegrown Alabama, formed in 2005, has about a dozen student members with various majors advised by Carl Bacon, director of the Ferguson Center, and Mildred P. Switzer, instructor of human nutrition and hospitality management. Key student planners are Keri Coumanis, Molly McNutt, Clay Morrison, Sierra Perkins and Andrea Mabry.

“These students have worked diligently throughout the summer and the first few weeks of fall semester to ensure that a fall farmers market would take place,” Spencer said.

To learn more about Homegrown Alabama’s mission, or to become a member, visit www.homegrownalabama.com.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.