GardenShare is seeking people interested to volunteer in support of farmers markets in Canton, Gouverneur, Hammond, Massena, and Potsdam.

There are two primary roles for volunteers and an interested individual could do one or both:

• Farmers Market Manager Assistant - This volunteer position supports the market manager in a particular market. The job is to be at the market manager's table to answer questions, provide information about the market and GardenShare, and to process SNAP, debit, and credit card transactions. GardenShare will provide training and then the market manager will schedule the volunteers - either on a regular schedule or an on-call schedule when they need someone to fill in for a whole or partial market day.

• Farmers Market / SNAP Outreach - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) outreach volunteers will help to promote the awareness and use of SNAP-EBT benefits at local farmers markets in St. Lawrence County on an individual basis and in group environments. Volunteers will also provide information, and share materials and resources to engage and educate people while helping them learn and feel comfortable about the market environment.

"I like the farmers market and the whole environment." said Curtis Legault while volunteering on a recent Friday at the Canton farmers market. "My main goal is helping people and to help our community thrive. Farmers work hard to bring their product to market and we need to support all of that hard work." Legault volunteers at the Canton Farmers Market with a team of his coworkers from Maplewood and even assists with training new volunteers.

"Local farmers and farmers markets are an important part of the North Country's economy," said Gloria McAdam, executive director of GardenShare. "Building vibrant farmers markets in each community helps farmers and other vendors sell their products and support their own families, and they also strengthen the sense of community. People who love to shop at our farmers markets can help keep those markets strong by contributing some volunteer time."

More info is available at http://gardenshare.org/content/volunteer-gardenshare or by calling 261-8054.