To The Farmers Market

The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is one of the finest farmers markets I have ever seen, and the first time I had gone was last weekend. This is November. It was inside and it still had at least thirty vendors peddling vegetables, meat, fruit, dairy products, yarn, soaps, breads, wines, and who knows what else I missed. It is held in the Uncle Sam Atrium on Third and Fourth Streets in Troy, New York, and it is a fabulous experience that you should participate in should you get the chance. It meets every Saturday from 10 to 2.

It may seem odd that I bring this Farmers Market up when it seems like it has little to do with TA'ing or teaching English. Well, it is not odd. It does have a purpose. One of the state ELA standards is concerned with students ability to read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction. Another states that, "students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding."

In class today, we talked about an "extra credit" project as well as the final exam. The extra credit project will revolve around the Farmers Market. Students are being asked to attend in one of two groups, the first attending at 11 with The Professor, the other attending at 1 with myself. We are asking students to talk to the farmers and even other patrons. Yes, it is college, but the state standards are still something of importance, and we are covering them with out even trying. On top of this, we are encouraging a college community to integrate with the local community. As this was not a goal of my undergraduate university of study (that I spoke to the former Dean of Students about) - St. Lawrence University - it is something that I feel is deeply important to fostering a higher-learning community.

In regards to the final exam, students will be writing an essay concerning the article from Harper's that I found and shared with The Professor the other day, and another author - probably one we read previously in class. I helped create the final with out even intending to do so. Hooray for collaboration of a sort.