D iscover Another fresh season

Wallowa County Farmers Markets celebrates 20th anniversary

Story and photos by Ann Bloom

It is a place where local artisans can sell their jewelry, pottery, photography, and art. It is a place where soap is sold, a place where you can sample fresh bread or locally raised buffalo.

It’s a place to get fresh flowers or a cup of locally roasted coffee. It’s also a place to listen to music and meet up with friends, new and old.

And, yes, it’s also a place where you can get organic, locally grown, fresh produce and actually talk to the person who grew it –who who will even give you ideas on how to prepare it.

Located in the parking lot of Stein Distillery on Main Street in Joseph, the market opens the last Saturday in May with a planting activity for families. The season runs every Saturday until early October. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine.

It was two decades ago that Joseph based organic gardener and caterer Beth Gibans thought the community needed a farmers market. She brought together a group of like-minded people and the Wallowa County Farmers Market was born. Gibans, who owned Backyard Gardens, a cornerstone of the market, died in 2021, but her mission and dream live on.

The goal of the market is to provide more music, educational and cultural events every year, but most importantly to provide a venue for more local food and handmade products.

In addition to produce, the market’s vendors sell jewelry, goat milk soap, artwork, fresh bread, metal work, photographs, coffee, buffalo meat products, clothing items and more. Music by local musicians can be heard coming from the market, reverberating up and down Main Street..

The market relies on grants, donations, sponsorships and fundraising for its operating costs. Special events held during the season include a strawberry shortcake sale, a cider pressing, and a pie sale.

For information on the market’s events, visit its website at www.wallowacountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.