At the Crossroads of Community, Season, and Sustainability April 2026

I’m honored to share that I’ve been appointed to the National Farmers Market Panel[, convened by the National Farmers Market Panel, a collaborative effort bringing together market leaders from across the country to help shape the future of farmers markets.

While this recognition is deeply meaningful on a personal level, it represents something much bigger than me, and much bigger than any single market. It speaks to the growing importance of farmers markets as more than just places to shop.

Across the country, we are standing at a crossroads.

On one side, there is a renewed desire to eat with the seasons: to understand where our food comes from, to reconnect with the rhythms of the land, and to nourish our families with fresh, thoughtfully produced foods.

On the other side, there is an urgent need to support local microbusinesses: the farmers, growers, bakers, makers, and artisans who are building their livelihoods one market day at a time.

Farmers markets are where these two paths meet. They are where:

• Local agriculture becomes accessible
• Small businesses find a platform to grow
• Communities gather, connect, and build relationships
• Everyday choices begin to shape a stronger, more resilient local economy

This work is not just about markets. It’s about impact. It’s about ensuring that farmers markets continue to evolve in ways that:

• Support the long-term viability of small-scale agriculture
• Create meaningful opportunities for microbusinesses
• Provide inclusive, welcoming spaces for communities
• Remain a trusted, transparent source of food and connection

Being part of this national panel is an opportunity to contribute to those conversations, bringing forward the perspective of what we are building here in Northern Virginia while learning from and collaborating with leaders across the country.

There is incredible work happening in markets of all sizes, in communities of every kind. The future of farmers markets will be shaped not by one voice, but by many, working together to strengthen and elevate this shared space.

I’m proud to be part of that work, and I’m grateful to be part of a community that shows up, supports local, and believes in something bigger.

With gratitude,
Robin Long
Owner, Chief Strategist, and proud Chaos Coordinator of the Marketplace