Farmers' Market sets up for Saturday on Square

By James R. Campbell

Nevada Daily Mail

If Saturday's Vernon County Farmers' Market adheres to the pattern it has established this spring and early summer, it will be the biggest of the year to date.

Starting over a month ago before Bushwhacker Days, Market Manager T.J. James and employees from his Backroads Steakhouse and produce farm had hoped to revitalize the bi-weekly agricultural exposition and put it on a path to regional prominence.

And so far, James said Friday, that plan is working.

Vendors each Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning are bringing in jams, pies, sweet corn, tomatoes, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and a variety of jalapeno jellies, among other delectables. "We've got plenty of peaches coming in right now and man, those jalapeno jellies are good," said James.

"They have a great flavor and they're not hot."

Working with Heather Klingaman from his restaurant and Ricky McDonald from his one-acre farm, James has been setting up six to eight vendors on the north side of Vernon County Courthouse downtown from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, and nine or 10 exhibitors from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. "Saturday is the big day," he said.

"We're getting an early bunch of 50 to 60 customers, a later group of 35 and during the last two hours about 150. Everybody is loving the fresh produce and getting along. That's the best thing.

"Dan Divine comes in from Moundville to play and sing, so we always have live music on Saturday."

Rolling into town from Stockton, Hume, El Dorado Springs, Lamar, Fort Scott, Kan., and of course from all around Vernon County, the vendors are also selling butternut and acorn squash, eggplants, okra, bell peppers, cut and dried flowers, potatoes, onions, okra, broccoli, all types of vegetables, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, fresh garlic, pickling cucumbers and blackberries.

"We're selling lots of blackberries and pickling cucumbers, small pickle gherkins and dill size," James said. "We sold 75 pounds in two days."

He is taking inquiries at (417) 667-4455 and signing up vendors for $5 a day and $50 for the season, which he hopes to continue into October. "We'll keep having it as long as I still have plenty of produce," James said.