TriangleJohn, I understand the message you posted. I think Joe may have been asking for input for classes for the young or otherwise entrepreneur. They may already get it. But, just for the sake of commenting on the market person who is already farming: session, conjures up visions in my head of planning meetings which by the way are usually scheduled during our busiest times: planting and harvesting. Some of us market farmers would rather have root canal work done rather than sit still for these meetings. Whenever there is a meeting with 35-40 farmers, there's probably going to be 35-40 differing views. Often the person in charge of the meeting works for the city. The percentage of their job delegated to markets if I had to guess, is one percent. They are generally busy, overworked people who may or may not have a concept what it is exactly the market grower does. Then, we need to add to this mix the resellers. Many markets have them. These would be the folks yelling the loudest that the city doesn't do enough advertising for the market, etc. So, you can see why many of us would rather look forward to a trip to the dentist rather than attend planning meetings. Most of us understand that the broader guidelines don't work for us; but, if we can take just a small piece of it, and, apply it to what we do, than it can and does work for us. You stated that economic fluctuations can completely alter a community where something that sold well a few years ago just doesn't work anymore. This may apply to the housing market and sale of certain goods; but, I just haven't seen it at the farmers market. Incidentally, my observation is quite the opposite. I think farmers markets do better in less fortunate economic times. We are always anticipating market trends. Sometimes we get it right; and, sometimes not. And, anticipating market trends, and, making adjustments would set a vendor apart. But, what exactly are the "special circumstances" to which you were referring?

Here's my initial response to Rita as cut and pasted from elsewhere, and includes my opinion of the variety Delicious as well. %%%%%%% (Rita, I've grown: Moneymaker and wouldn't grow it again. It's an English variety, that was bred in England for greenhouse growing many years ago and has that aggressive somewhat tart taste that almost all of the English like. There are other varieties, all English ones, that are about the same. http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les;&gs_nf=1&cp=12&gs_id... I'd prefer to link to Tania's page but right now it seems down, so this general Google search will have to suffice. Delicious, which I don't find to be delicious, is still the current world record holder for weight at at 7 # 12 oz, which I think is its main claim to fame. However, folks growing it without using the tricks that those who grow for competitions seldom get over a pound. Market Wonder I've not grown. ( see correction in my above post here) Just my opinion but I think there are many hundreds of large red beefsteak varieties I'd grow before I'd ever grow Delicious or ANY of the English varieties again. Carolyn ( who deleted here something she wrote about trading seeds vs buying them since trading seeds had been discussed in the thread)

Forgot to add that he saved us money by incorporating all of our needs and many wants without going over in sq footage. He also came up with architectural details that would give the house character very inexpensively. He loaded us up on storage and made the most use out of stadard windows. Also incorporated brick and stone with hardi in a way that kept the expense down but provided a huge visual impact. It is also unique from the other houses in the neighborhood and area, but still blends nicely so that if we ever resale we will standout among the homogenous designs most builders put up in our area. So that will payoff later. I have had someone on my hoa with a house significantly bigger than mine rave over the design and wish she could move in. Also he could have...but we chose not to do this... make it so the first floor was the only floor finished so that we could finish the second and basement later without anyone being the wiser. However we lost our minds and now are finishing the whole basement.

Hi again Provence, When I was young - almost 78 years ago (I have a birthday tomorrow) life was a lot more stable and there wasn't the speed of change that there is, these days. People worked for one employer throughout their working life, for heaven's sakes!! About the only thing constant in modern life - is change. There are many fluctuations in life, also - some ups and some downs, with some hum-drum stuff in between. Which is precisely how the stock market works. It might be a wise thing for your offsrping to put some of their asset into a long-term system - for use either when they need expensive education, or looking to retirement (ha-ha! as far as a kid is concerned). If you want to choose some (I'd suggest equity-based) mutual funds for diversification, fine - but don't forget that the manager slips about a fifth of the average increased value into his pocket. If s/he's smart enough to equal the average growth of the market as a whole - which few are. And they get their annual percentage, even if they devekop no growth at all. My suggestion would be a high quality, dividend-paying stock (for their value tends to deteriorate less than average, in a down market). As an earlier poster said, they are very pleased with some of the results that good quality stocks have produced for their kids, over a number of years. Further - if your kid wants to buy a car, if the only available collateral is the car ... ... guess what the rate of interest will be (even if s/he can qualify)? But if s/he has a few thousand dollars worth of stock which s/he can use as collateral for a line of credit at the bank/credit union ... the rate of interest will be a very large percentage lower. A good lesson for a kid to learn. Credit cards are a PITA. Payday loans are a PITA. Being without a nest-egg, giving one some financial maneuvering room, is a PITA. And a neighbour's relative is about to get a severance package from work due to termination (auto manufacturing). He's in mid-50s - and has a second mortgage ... at something like 18%. He should have had a good financial advisor talking into his ear, years ago - (and been willing to listen, of course). Learning how money works - a great hobby - that pays well. And it's important for kids to learn how to boss their money - for if they don't boss it ... it'll boss them! Have a great week. Whe one's retired - every day is holiday. a guy in Canada writes in our best personal money management magazine (that carries no slick ads) how he retired at ... (wait for it) ... ... age 34. It took some financial smarts to manage that. Now he - a young guy, right? - does what he likes. Imagine - not being in the employment handcuffs any more. Like I said - I hope for a great week for you and yours. ole joyful