Produce not the only thing sold at the farmer’s market
FARMINGTON – Nearly 20 farmers participated in this past Saturday’s Farmer’s Market, held on the parking lot of the Farmington VFW off Karsch Boulevard.
&#8220The farmers come from within a 50-mile radius in Missouri,” said Becky Landrum, co-manager of the local Farmer’s Market. Landrum works with Ginnie Smith to ensure the market operates as efficiently as possible. The market is now in its seventh year of existence and continues to grow each year.
Currently customers can find fresh produce and plenty of other items on market days, which are every Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. and Saturday from 7-11 a.m.
According to Landrum, the market is doing very well. &#8220I am just so proud to say that our local farmers have made a go of it (the market),” she said. &#8220I am still amazed at the time they get up, the amount of work that they put into it, and their dedication.”
Many of the items offered right now at the market include cucumbers, plenty of new potatoes, beans, blueberries and blackberries, onions, beets, turnips, cabbage, and tomatoes and corn, which are just beginning to come in. &#8220July and August are big producers,” Landrum points out, &#8220and the market is full and growing.” Flowers, plants, herbs, fresh eggs, jams, honey, maple syrup, and cakes, pies and bread supplied by an Ironton bakery are other wonderful additions available for customers to purchase.
Landrum and Smith stress that everything is locally grown (and most without insecticides added to the produce): &#8220If you don’t grow it, you don’t sell it.” The only exception to that rule for the Farmington market is for cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches and apples, which are more easily grown in southern Missouri and are popular items with customers.
Cost for farmers to participate in the local market is an initial $25 fee and then only $5 for each time the farmer sells at the market.
For information on becoming a member of the local Farmer’s Market, call Becky Landrum at 756-5876 or Ginnie Smith at 756-2284.
