Since graduating in 1990 from Hobart College in upstate New York with majors in environmental studies and comparative religion, Dunbar has been deeply involved with agriculture. After graduation, I worked on a 500-acre farm in Geneva, N.Y., with 250 acres in orchard crops. That summer he packed crates of fruit bound for New York at seven different farmers markets around Manhattan. It was 1,000 miles of driving and 80 hours of work in four days. It was really at these farmers' markets in New York City that Dunbar became smitten with farming.
Farmers markets go beyond just selling good food.
Dunbar's most recent achievement is organizing the West River Farmers Market this year. Although it is now closed for the season, he is already planning for next summer. Banking on his connections with local chefs, Dunbar asked his restaurant clients to come to the market to show their stuff. I simply asked chefs if they'd be willing to come to the market and cook with the seasonal produce. The idea took off.