Since noon today, farmers market shoppers throughout the nation have been voting for their favorite markets in American Farmland Trust’s 4th annual America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest.

To vote for the Powder Springs' Farmers Market, go here; to vote for another area market, go here.

The summer-long competition aims to see which farmers markets can generate the most votes from their customers. The goal of the contest "is to promote the role that farmers markets play in keeping family farmers on the land," a news release says.

The 2012 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest features all 7,175 markets that are listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Farmers Market Directory. As part of the contest, a $1,000 Farmers Market Inspiration Award will be presented to a farmer showing the greatest dedication to his/her market.

People can vote for as many participating farmers markets as they choose, but they can only vote for each market once. Voting runs through midnight on Monday, Sept. 3, when one small, one medium, one mid-size, and one large market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2012.

The winning markets will be featured in the media and will be honored at local celebrations organized by American Farmland Trust.

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