Farmer's Market returns to the Square

Once again it is the season for the Farmer's Market. The first day for the market is this Saturday, May 12, beginning at 8 a.m. this is good for the community, good for the producers and great for the consumers. It is a place where local growers can market their products and a place for buyers to buy good nutritional local products.

Marketing products through the Farmer's Market gives some an opportunity to have value added production for their farm -- more than what is commonly produced on local farms. It gives producers with only a limited amount of space to provide an income. Often a large number of buyers are present to buy products.

It has been nearly 30 years since Warren Hargus, extension community specialist, started talking about a need for direct marketing of garden products. He recognized a need for small producers to increase their income. He shared his idea with Ralph Pitts, Gilbert McDowell and others. There was also an effort by W. W. Thomas, extension economists to help communities to organize direct marketing, which later was called Farmer's Market.

One persons who has been involved with the Farmer's Market for several years is Elmo Gerster. His daughter, Ruth, has continued the family's involvement with the market and the organization. She now is the one in possession of a box of records.

She found a letter from Thomas about an information meeting to be held at the Nevada City Hall on Nov. 20, 1979. The first board was established in 1980, which is the first year for the Vernon County Farmer's Market. This is year number 28 for the Vernon County Farmer's Market.

It may surprise you who the first board members were. The original board members included Leonard Righter, Ron Culbertson, Gilbert McDowell, Ralph Pitts, Tom B. Good, John Loveless, Cecil Maxwell and George Doris. Warren worked with the Farmer's Market organization until he retired and his interest in the market continues, even though he is no longer living in this community.

The Farmer's Market was first held in the parking area north of the courthouse. After several years of being held at other locations, it is returning to that location. One person commented that this is the place it should be. There are many excited about the location. Do not be surprised that there are several new producers participating this year. There may be those who have not participated in recent years returning to this local market.

During May the market will be held only on Saturday mornings. Beginning in June there will also be a session that will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. The market is scheduled to continue through September and beyond depending on availability of products. There will not be any market during Bushwhacker Days nor on Wednesday, July 4.

Even as it is getting ready to start for the season, the weather has not cooperated and will limit what is available at the market. Later in the season, there will be more products and producers.

Over the years there have been several different presidents of the organization and masters for the market. As it is with any organization, there are changes. No one wanted to take the leadership. As Ruth commented, it will be different this year.

A special committee has been organized to plan the market for this year. Members include: Janet Wray, home-based businesses; Pat Arnold, chamber retail; Mike Seitz, Main Street Nevada; Leslie Carroll-Bartlett, fiber artists and extension council; Pat Miller, extension center: Wayne Prewitt, extension center and growers/producers; and Ruth Gerster, growers and producers. These committee member will rotate the responsibility of being master for the market.

The market will include a product mix, consisting of fresh fruit, vegetables, cut and dried plants, value added products, honey meats and eggs produced by the vendor. Baked products are allowed at market manager's discretion. Handcrafted items are allowed and may be approved prior to acceptance. Home based businesses (defined as hand made, hand crafted or hand baked) are encouraged to display/sell their products unless the products are in conflict with local retail establishments. Specialty products not available locally are an example what might be eligible to be sold. The produce must be grown within 50 miles of Nevada or Vernon County and contingent counties including Bates, Barton, Cedar and Bourbon County, Kan.

The chamber is asking retail merchants to do special things including side walk sales during the hours of the Farmer's Market. In this way there will be additional attractions to draw people downtown. The downtown attractions will be publicized. Tourists as well as local people will be attracted to the marketing of the products that available in the community.

There are two fee schedules offered: venders may pay $50 for the season or a daily $5 fee for the space if the vendor does not pay the season fee. Funds from the fees are used for advertisements and other cost related to the promotion and administration of the market.

For additional information contact the chamber of commerce at (417) 667-3500 or the University Of Missouri Extension Center at (417) 448-2560.