LARAMIE – In a recent press release, the University of Wyoming Extension announced a newly updated publication promoting local food movements across Wyoming. According to the release, the publication is to connect consumers with producers. 

“On behalf of University of Wyoming Extension in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, I am incredibly pleased to present the 2024 Wyoming Specialty Crop Directory. With funds from WDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, we created volume 2 of this directory to help connect Wyoming residents and visitors alike with edible specialty crops, including fresh vegetables and fruits, culinary herbs and spices, honey, and homemade goods containing specialty crops, such as jams, jellies, barbecue and hot sauces, salsas, pickled and fermented vegetables, fruit pies, hard cider, and wine, to name a few,” project coordinator and editor Robert Waggener said.

Nearly 1,100 listings are included in the 2024 Wyoming Specialty Crop Directory which includes producers and the specialty crops they offer. 

“These offerings include fresh vegetables and fruits; culinary herbs and spices; honey; homemade goods such as jams, jellies, salsas, barbecue and hot sauces, pickled and fermented vegetables, and fruit pies; hard cider; and wine, among many others,” the release explained.

The directory was originally published in 2021 and the newest edition includes the addition of many new listings, according to the release.

“There are numerous outdoor and indoor farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture operations, co-ops, farm stands and other food venues across Wyoming, and this updated directory lists where consumers can purchase locally produced goods,” Waggener said in the release.

The directory is available by a free downloadable publication. 

“The free downloadable publication also includes listings for school, community and church gardens; county fairs and garden clubs; local, state, and national organizations and agencies that are directly involved with agriculture, including specialty crops; a list of resources to help producers, businesses, organizations and others build on the local food movement; and nearly 400 local photos, including many showing producers and their operations and products,” the release explained. “The directory also includes a list of eligible specialty crop foods as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Funding for the directory was provided by the USDA AMS’ Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.”

The publication includes many producers in Goshen County such as Baer’s Pantry, Bear Creek Rubs, Big Meadow Apiary, seed libraries, community gardens, corn mazes, fairs, plant nurseries, school gardens, vineyards, markets and clubs. The publication also provides readers with contact information for each entry. 

For a free download, please visit https://bit.ly/wyo-specialty-crop-directory