One might be surprised to learn how much work is needed to manage a farm market on the actual market day. Each Saturday, volunteers arrive early at the Fayette County Farmers’ Market to set up the market information tent, and often stay late helping vendors take down their tents and tables and load up at the end of a hot morning.
Market outreach is critical, and volunteers and vendors chip in to help spread the word about the farmers’ market to the local community; this includes weekly articles in the Record-Herald and posts using various social media platforms. Gwen Laurens has been instrumental in recently starting live feeds on Facebook on Saturday mornings and organizers hope to do even more in the future to promote the great products you can find at the market.
While you’re at the Saturday farmers’ market, stop by the information tent for kids’ crafts, recipes, market vendor information, or to purchase a t-shirt ($10) or reusable shopping bag ($4). If you plan to shop with a credit card or participate in the SNAP match (where the market matches your SNAP/EBT purchase dollar for dollar up to $20!), then stop by the market information tent before you shop. Friendly volunteers will be happy to help you. And while you’re at it, welcome and get to know each of our volunteers.
Debra Corbell-Grover has volunteered for some years. She is a “transplant” from Texas, and a Buckeye graduate, and has lived in Washington C.H. for about 22 years. Her passion is teaching which she does at the Miami Trace elementary and high schools. She and her husband Bill are parents to three adult children and grandparents to one. They enjoy church, sports, volunteering, fishing, hunting and horses. Debra speaks highly of the wonderful products available at the Fayette County Farmers’ Market, as well as the “gracious and kind” vendors.
LeAnna Kidwell, who has lived in Washington C.H. most of her life, began coming to the market as a teenager with her grandma. Now she wants to “get back to her roots” and enjoys working at the information booth where she meets a wide variety of people, loves listening to their stories and about their experiences, and sharing information…both learning from and having something to offer. “I think the market has been great for our community and the families within; I really look forward to seeing what else it will do,” she said.
Gwen Laurens is a new volunteer at the Fayette County Farmers’ Market as well as a new resident to Washington Court House. Gwen decided to volunteer because she wants to help the market and Fayette County thrive. She believes that the farmers’ market is at the heart and soul of the buy local food economy. “When we buy our goods and services locally, we keep our money in our local economy. That’s a really big deal! We pay our neighbors for the things we were going to buy anyway and in return, we get fresher, less traveled goods from local folks that earn an income making a useful product. Everyone wins,” she said.
Kelly Selzer is also new to the Fayette County Farmers’ Market this year and arrived in Washington C.H. just over a month ago. Central to numerous metropolitan areas, Kelly is staying in Washington C.H. while she focuses on her job search. It can be hard meeting new people in a small town, but not at the Fayette County Farmers’ Market. “I wanted to volunteer somewhere that would allow me to make a difference and meet new people at the same time. Everyone at the market is so friendly! I’m happy to be part of the ‘market family’ this year,” she said.
The Fayette County Farmers’ Market is open Saturday morning from 8:30 to noon and is located in the municipal parking lot on the corner of South Main and East East streets. SNAP EBT food benefit cards, Senior Farm Market coupons and credit/debit cards are accepted. Those using the SNAP EBT card for produce receive matching dollar “Produce Perks” tokens ($1 for $1) for additional fruits and vegetables. So,”buy one, get one” for fruit and vegetables, up to $20 EVERY market day.
The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up for the Saturday Market. Other vendors may participate as well.
Persinger Cottage Foods (David Persinger and Julie Mosny): The Pie Lady will have pies: cherry, black raspberry, apple, rhubarb, strawberry rhubarb; also Cinni mini’s, Cinnamon rolls, cookies, and honey. The Jam Man will have jams, jellies, peach butter.
Reubens and More (Denise Rhodes): The food truck will offer omelets, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and sides. Coffee, water, hot chocolate and soda available.
Wood Designed by DW (Debbie Welch): Wood crafts: decorative bird houses, wooden totes, patriotic & wooden Ohio signs, pigs, cows, chickens. Hand made crocheted dishtowels, clothes, potholders, pocket books and baby booties. Special orders welcome.
Your Other Mother’s Kitchen (Don & Sara Creamer): Artisan breads, whole wheat brownie tarts, and bran muffin tops.
B.Y.E. Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): Snow peas, assorted small fruit pies, sweet breads, cinnamon rolls.
Chilcote Farm (Bruce & Marlene Chilcote): honey, apple pie, peach pie, hickory nut cake, cookies, brownies, sheet cakes, and coffee cake.
Engedi (Beth Day, Alana Walters, Janet Bick): Assorted home baked goods (cinnamon rolls, bread, yeast rolls, cookies, pies, brownies, cobblers, whoopie pies, small specialty bread) and a special children’s activity.
Forgotten Way Organic Farm (Cathy Ludi): Therapeutic grade essential oils, wooden signs, homemade soap, vanilla, balms, dry shampoos, and foot soaks.
Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Wide variety of plants – herbs (basil, sacred basil, lovage, parsley, dill, salad burnette, clary sage, lemon grass); flowering perennials (echinacea, blanket flower, bee balm, marguerite kelways, milkweed); elderberry, pollinator favorites. Beeswax body care products. Gingersnaps. Seasonal produce grown sustainably and chemical free.
Jones Farm Fresh Produce (Jon & Taylor Jones): cabbage, cucumbers, broccoli, garlic scapes, zucchini, yellow squash, beets, pork chops, sausage patties, ground pork, sage and salt and pepper bulk sausage, maple links, sweet Italian and jalapeño brats, 1/4# and 1/3# hamburger patties, ground hamburger and brown eggs.
King Farms (Jeff & Sandi King): Broccoli, onions, and baked items.
Nidays Microgreens (Victor Niday): Micro-greens of basic salad mix, broccoli and kalrabi.
Katrina Bush is a vendor and Gwen Laurens is a volunteer with the Fayette County Farmers’ Market.
