In honor of National Ag Week (March 23-March 29), I previously wrote (http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/irvines-tanaka-farm-and-our-agriculture-past) about Irvine’s Tanaka Farm. Today, I’ll continue the theme by highlighting Irvine’s farmers markets, which are outdoor markets at which you can buy many fresh fruits and vegetables that are often organic and from local farmers. In addition, other items are frequently available.

• The Orange County Great Park farmers market is operated by the Orange County Farm Bureau and is open on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.  It is located in the Great Park on Marine Way near Sand Canyon. The contact number is 714-573-0374.While you are there you might also visit the nearby Great Park Farm and Food Lab.

• The Orange County Farm Bureau farmers market at University Center is on the corner of Bridge and Campus (across from UCI). It is open Saturdays from 8 am to noon, rain or shine.  This is the largest farmers market in Orange County.

• The Kaiser sponsored farmers market is located at the Irvine Medical Center (6640 Alton Parkway 92618). This small farmers market is held year round in front of the Medical Office Building on Wednesdays at 9 am to 1 pm. This link gives some information on why Kaiser and other medical groups think good nutrition is part of good health.—Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®): Supportive care - Health Professional Information [NCI]

In honor of National Ag Week, I’ll end with some “food for thought” on our agriculture, food, water supply, and environment:

“Absent carbon and critical microbes, soil becomes mere dirt, a process of deterioration that’s been rampant around the globe. Many scientists say that regenerative agricultural practices can turn back the carbon clock, reducing atmospheric CO2 while also boosting soil productivity and increasing resilience to floods and drought.”—Soil as Carbon Storehouse: New Weapon in Climate Fight? 

“According to the Ohio State University Extension, the number of microbes in a teaspoon of soil is larger than that of people on Earth. Microbes in the soil are important in providing organic nutrition to plants, allowing them to grow.” —Microbes in the Soil

Note: The Orange County Farm Bureau farmers market that is currently held at the Irvine Regional Park in Orange will eventually return to its former location in Irvine. This location is in the parking lot of the Katie Wheeler Library. It is held on Tuesdays from 9 am to 1 pm. The library is located on Irvine Boulevard between Jamboree and Tustin Ranch Road.