Homegrown in the Bluegrass

from SCRTC Community Network May/June 2020

A trusty solution

Farmers markets thriving across the area

Story by JOHN CLAYTON

Farmers market vendors Brenda King and Darrell Enos bring bushels of veggies each weekend.

Farmers markets across Kentucky are in full swing with the arrival of May and the fresh produce that comes along with spring and summer.

According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, more than 160 successful farmers markets operate in 110 counties across the commonwealth. More than 2,700 vendors participate in the markets, putting fresh produce and other goods in the hands of customers.

Three of those markets are in Barren, Hart and Metcalfe counties. Each of those is part of the Kentucky Proud program, which markets, highlights and supports agritourism and local small businesses and farmers.

While Kentucky Proud and other agencies and programs have been pivotal in the successes of local farmers markets, Ken Childers, chairman of the Metcalfe County Farmer’s Market board of directors, says it starts at home. “What’s done this is dedication by our vendors,” he says. “Our vendors have good, quality produce and a good variety of produce. It’s been an effort, really, by a lot of different people to pull this thing together.”

BOUNTY OF THE BARRENS

On Saturday mornings from the end of April through October, the Glasgow Public Square teems with activity, thanks to the Bounty of the Barrens Farmers Market.

“During our peak summer season, we’re averaging over 500 customers a day,” says Bounty of the Barrens Market Manager Josh Johnson. “All of our vendors set up around the courthouse on the square, and it’s a nice kind of community event. We have local musicians and a gazebo that’s sort of a stage for the music, and people can come in and listen to music for a couple of hours. It’s a nice way to spend a Saturday morning.”

While the musicians are a popular attraction for marketgoers, the produce and other products local farmers sell are the real stars of the show in Glasgow on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon.

Sustainable Glasgow, a nonprofit organization made up of local farmers, artisans, craftsmen and producers, supports Bounty of the Barrens. The vendors come together to create one of the state’s largest and best farmers markets, according to several websites, such as OnlyinYourState.com. Shoppers can find everything from fresh meats to fresh-cut flowers and fresh fruit and vegetables. “In the spring, we have folks who actually bring plants for sale, so people can set them out in their gardens themselves,” Johnson says.

This past year, Bounty of the Barrens also hosted a winter market that operated indoors every other Saturday at the Barren County Extension Office.

HART COUNTY FARMERS MARKETS

The Hart County Farmers Market built on more than a decade of success when it opened a satellite market in Horse Cave to go with its established market in Munfordville.

Both markets began their 2020 seasons in April. The Munfordville market, located in the parking lot of the former Sullivan Building, is open on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Horse Cave market, which debuted last year, is open on Wednesdays. Both markets are open from 7:30 a.m. until around 1 p.m. or until all goods are sold.

Janey Cline, the University of Kentucky extension manager for Hart County, says the markets usually host about eight vendors between them, including participation from Horse Cave-based Dennison’s Roadside Market in 2019. “We have pretty much any fruits and vegetables you might want,” Cline says. “We do have some vendors who do the jams and jellies with breads and things like that as well.”

Cline says the markets have provided an important service and better nutrition to the people of the county, especially those who may be in need. The markets accept both senior vouchers and WIC vouchers for the federally funded supplemental nutrition program for economically disadvantaged women, infants and children.

“Those are probably our main markets for seniors and those who are disabled,” Cline says. “That’s one of the reasons we opened the Horse Cave market — the senior population in the area and the number of people in the WIC program.”

METCALFE COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET

The Metcalfe County Farmer’s Market in Edmonton has come a long way in the four years since its reorganization.

“Four years ago, we had about two vendors and less customers,” says Childers, chairman of the market’s board of directors.

After coming on as chairman, Childers says a cadre of local supporters helped turn around the market with new ideas and new blood. “We got it reorganized and got some new blood and new people interested,” he says. “My thought was if we provide quality produce and quality vendors and advertise, people will come to us, and that is what has happened.”

The number of vendors has grown to 20, and around 150 customers routinely come to the market on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April through October and on Tuesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. June through September. It is located at the pavilion a block off the Edmonton Town Square across from the Kentucky Extension Office on East Street.

In addition to some of the area’s best produce and other products, such as local honey and syrups, the market also often features local musicians. Around 350 people attended Customer Appreciation Day this past October.

As a Kentucky Proud member, the market receives state funds to help seniors and low-income customers buy products there. Through sponsorships, the market offers “double dollars,” meaning customers can spend twice the worth of their vouchers. “This is our way of giving back to the community and putting the produce where it is needed,” Childers says.