Why do Laurel, Annapolis, and Upper Marlboro all have year round Amish Markets and Southern Maryland does not? We actually have Amish in our community, but only have a seasonal shanty town market in front of the CH Library? One group seems to be able to truck down from Lancaster county and the other...well...doesn't make sense. Even better, the old IGA in CH is a second hand store & it looks like McKay's is about to relocate. This leaves an opportunity for our own Amish community to move out of their shanty town into permanent digs with refrigeration and other creature comforts likely to enhance their business and help their community grow. Are they just under achievers? Do our local economic development people even notice or care? Let me put it this way. Big empty former grocery store with an Amish buggy trail leading up to it that passes the eyesore shanty town seasonal market...hmmm! Don't get me wrong. I love the Amish, in fact, I'd love to see them flourish rather than struggle in a seasonal market.

Why do Laurel, Annapolis, and Upper Marlboro all have year round Amish Markets and Southern Maryland does not? We actually have Amish in our community, but only have a seasonal shanty town market in front of the CH Library? One group seems to be able to truck down from Lancaster county and the other...well...doesn't make sense. Even better, the old IGA in CH is a second hand store & it looks like McKay's is about to relocate. This leaves an opportunity for our own Amish community to move out of their shanty town into permanent digs with refrigeration and other creature comforts likely to enhance their business and help their community grow. Are they just under achievers? Do our local economic development people even notice or care? Let me put it this way. Big empty former grocery store with an Amish buggy trail leading up to it that passes the eyesore shanty town seasonal market...hmmm! Don't get me wrong. I love the Amish, in fact, I'd love to see them flourish rather than struggle in a seasonal market.

Why would you move from a rent free, utility free house to one that you will pay an ungodly amount of rent and utilities with no guarantees that it will last any longer or provide any better shelter?

Even though this area is growing rapidly our population may not be big enough to support a market of this size. Annapolis, Laurel and Marlboro are much closer to a much larger customer base. Our Amish are operating in a market with "Zero" overhead costs, on county land. Those other markets also sell alot of processed meat products that I believe involve much higher costs, and more government regulations to deal with.

Because you could operate year round and increase your demand. The foot traffic at the other markets is stunning and they are not necessarily in the most convenient locations. Most are pretty sold out after a few hours. Also, you can expand your product and service lines. The combined population of St. Mary's and Charle counties is more than 250,000. A quarter million folks is more than enough to be successful.

Why don't you stop underachieving and grow your own fresh produce, produce your own butter and cheese, and make your own baked goods? Then you won't have to wank about the Amish not having a market open year round for you.

Why don't you stop underachieving and grow your own fresh produce, produce your own butter and cheese, and make your own baked goods? Then you won't have to wank about the Amish not having a market open year round for you.

Because I believe in supporting farmers and the Amish community?

There is a store on the Eastern Shore just like what you are talking about. It
was as old grocery store and they sectioned it off to accommodate different items....i.e. baked goods, produce, woodworking, quilts, crafts, etc. It was full of customers (on a Saturday in Sept.). It looked like it was doing a good business to me!

Maybe it's not under-achieving, but some ideal this particular community follows. Some groups are more mainstream and commercial, and others choose to be more private and withdrawn from the rest of society. Not sure, just a thought.

Because I believe in supporting farmers and the Amish community?

Then maybe you should rent out the store and sublet space to the Amish merchants.

If I had the capital, I would. The business model is sound. I retire in a few years...maybe...

There is a store on the Eastern Shore just like what you are talking about. It
was as old grocery store and they sectioned it off to accommodate different items....i.e. baked goods, produce, woodworking, quilts, crafts, etc. It was full of customers (on a Saturday in Sept.). It looked like it was doing a good business to me!

We had a store like that in Prince. Fred, it's now a Green Turtle. It was a great place and I enjoyed being part of it, and many people were sorry to see it go.

Maybe it's not under-achieving, but some ideal this particular community follows. Some groups are more mainstream and commercial, and others choose to be more private and withdrawn from the rest of society. Not sure, just a thought.

In Maryland you can't sell butter, milk or cheese unless you have a certified dairy. I can't say about the people coming in from Lancaster, Pa. There are also rules on home canned items and baked goods, but I don't know anything about those. However you can go up to DC and buy wonderful artisan cheeses and fresh meat at their farmers market coming in from Virginia and West Virginia. In an effort to keep us safe [I guess that is the reason] Maryland is regulating us to death. I made my own cheese and drank my goat's milk for years and never got sick once.

In Maryland you can't sell butter, milk or cheese unless you have a certified dairy.

that's a big part of the puzzle. They are building a "certified" production plant but surprise,surprise.....they are having a lot of difficulties getting permits and approvals.

The health department and other county and state agencies hate the Amish so they enacted all these laws concerning what they sell to the public, inn the name of "public health". Why is McDonald's still open? Ever seen an obese Amish person? They must be doing something right.

Our local Amish sell seasonal goods. What would they sell from September to April? Most fruits, flowers & veggies are gone.

Our local Amish sell seasonal goods. What would they sell from September to April? Most fruits, flowers & veggies are gone.

And they only sell overflow. First order of business is to feed the family and community, that includes canning for the winter. Selling to we "English" is just a side business. Same for quilts, etc.

Because I believe in supporting farmers and the Amish community?

Are you asking me if that is what you believe?

The health department and other county and state agencies hate the Amish so they enacted all these laws concerning what they sell to the public, inn the name of "public health". Why is McDonald's still open? Ever seen an obese Amish person? They must be doing something right.

Everybody has to follow the same rules. Years ago we looked into selling cheese made from our goat milk but for the amount we would produce it was too large an investment of time and money. And not worth the hassle. It's a shame because I think people are looking to buy locally, but some things they aren't able to.

Everybody has to follow the same rules. Years ago we looked into selling cheese made from our goat milk but for the amount we would produce it was too large an investment of time and money. And not worth the hassle. It's a shame because I think people are looking to buy locally, but some things they aren't able to.

Only recently were there regs put in place to require ingredient labels for Amish products.

In Maryland you can't sell butter, milk or cheese unless you have a certified dairy. I can't say about the people coming in from Lancaster, Pa. There are also rules on home canned items and baked goods, but I don't know anything about those. However you can go up to DC and buy wonderful artisan cheeses and fresh meat at their farmers market coming in from Virginia and West Virginia. In an effort to keep us safe [I guess that is the reason] Maryland is regulating us to death. I made my own cheese and drank my goat's milk for years and never got sick once.


PA has a cottage law, but I'm not sure what the specifics of it are. (Usually they cover foods that would not be thought to be hazardous) Cottage laws vary widely, and I think there are only about 13 states that have them. A cottage law really benefits the entire community. It allows for people to start small and grow as their business grows.

Why do Laurel, Annapolis, and Upper Marlboro all have year round Amish Markets and Southern Maryland does not? We actually have Amish in our community, but only have a seasonal shanty town market in front of the CH Library? One group seems to be able to truck down from Lancaster county and the other...well...doesn't make sense. Even better, the old IGA in CH is a second hand store & it looks like McKay's is about to relocate. This leaves an opportunity for our own Amish community to move out of their shanty town into permanent digs with refrigeration and other creature comforts likely to enhance their business and help their community grow. Are they just under achievers? Do our local economic development people even notice or care? Let me put it this way. Big empty former grocery store with an Amish buggy trail leading up to it that passes the eyesore shanty town seasonal market...hmmm! Don't get me wrong. I love the Amish, in fact, I'd love to see them flourish rather than struggle in a seasonal market.

Because the markets in Annapolis and Laurel are not operated by locals. Everything is trucked in from PA. Also, those working at the markets are usually Mennonites. You can purchase local produce and goods year round here. You just have to go directly to the farms. And yes, our local leaders do care, but are also constrained by the Amish and Mennonite beliefs.

It allows for people to start small and grow as their business grows.

Well you better believe Maryland won't be doing that.

Well you better believe Maryland won't be doing that.

:werd:
OR they will allow it long enough to tax them into oblivion.

Well you better believe Maryland won't be doing that.

It's not just Maryland, and not just Blue states

Any ideas about how to help them cut through the red tape? I'm not being a smart alec, but how do the Amish from PA manage to do it? They seem to have cleared all of the obstacles mentioned in Laurel, Upper Marlboro, and Annapolis. Honestly, I don't think St. Mary's has more legitimate or illegitimate hurdles than PG county (ie pay to play scandals).

Our local Amish sell seasonal goods. What would they sell from September to April? Most fruits, flowers & veggies are gone.

Bake goods, meat, dairy, furniture, crafts, and other goods and services.

The health department and other county and state agencies hate the Amish so they enacted all these laws concerning what they sell to the public, inn the name of "public health". Why is McDonald's still open? Ever seen an obese Amish person? They must be doing something right.

How do the Amish in Laurel, Annapolis, and Upper Marlboro pull it off? Seems to me like PG county is a lot more corrupt than St. Mary's. It takes me back to the point, why can't or won't our Amish open a permanent market? On a lighter note, at least, none of our commissioners have been caught stuffing cash into their underdrawers when the law gets to knockin' on the front door!

Are you asking me if that is what you believe?

No. I'm wearing my big boy pants...that's what I believe.

How do the Amish in Laurel, Annapolis, and Upper Marlboro pull it off? Seems to me like PG county is a lot more corrupt than St. Mary's. It takes me back to the point, why can't or won't our Amish open a permanent market? On a lighter note, at least, none of our commissioners have been caught stuffing cash into their underdrawers when the law gets to knockin' on the front door!

Those in Laurel (which, if they're still in the same location, it's Burtonsville and Montgomery County) and in Annapolis are coming in through PA's Department of Agriculture. They have a special dispensation for Dutch Country Market.

A good idea would be to contact Donna Sasscer at the Ag and Seafood Commission in St Mary's. She is very involved in starting permanent farmers markets. St. Mary's County Government (http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/decd/agseafood.asp)

And just so you know, our Amish and Mennonites do have a permanent market, at Loveville Produce Auction.

Those in Laurel (which, if they're still in the same location, it's Burtonsville and Montgomery County) and in Annapolis are coming in through PA's Department of Agriculture. They have a special dispensation for Dutch Country Market.

A good idea would be to contact Donna Sasscer at the Ag and Seafood Commission in St Mary's. She is very involved in starting permanent farmers markets. St. Mary's County Government (http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/decd/agseafood.asp)

And just so you know, our Amish and Mennonites do have a permanent market, at Loveville Produce Auction.

Awesome! Thank you very much for the information!