The Logan County Farmers’ Market begins its 14th season of operation in its current location this Saturday, June 1. The 2019 edition brings the biggest change since the market moved from its East Fourth Street site to the then-new UK Ag Pavilion behind the Logan County Extension Office in 2006.
Beginning June 4, Tuesday Farmers’ Market hours will be from 3-6 p.m. The first 13 years the market operated on Tuesdays from noon-4 p.m. Historically, from 12 until about 1:30, customers abounded, especially during the peak of produce season. After that, vendors mostly talked to each other, since very few customers came in the later hours.
The change has been made to give people an opportunity to come to the market on their way home from work. Much of that evening’s meal could come from the vegetables and fruits which they purchase at the market.
Saturday hours remain 7:30 a.m-noon.
Four of the vendors have been with the market all 14 years. They are Wanda Grayson of Lickskillet 1779, Roger Duncan of Chandlers, Elaine Turner of Turner Valley Produce & Soaps, and Venita Hall of Poore’s Nursery & Farm.
Veteran vegetable producers Mike and Barbara Dorris of Lewisburg usually have some of the earliest homegrown tomatoes, and multi-year vendor Wayne Inscoe will feature his specialty crops.
The Bread Lady, Kris Partlow, also returns for another year with her pastries and breads.
Amanda Mayes, who spent the winter with her family in Maine, is back home with the whole Mayes clan and will return to the market.
Flowers, herbs, and specialty plants will also be for sale, especially early in the season before vegetables reach their peak. Jellies and honey are expected to be available much of the year,
Senior and WIC vouchers have not yet been distributed by the government agencies in charge of them, but several vendors took the required training to accept them earlier this spring.
Vendors who make their own crafts from agricultural items, such as soaps and wooden products, can sell their creations at every session of the market. Those who have items they’ve produced can sell them on the first and third Saturdays of each month if they are members of the market. The fee for being a market vendor is $25 for the season if paid by this Saturday. After June 1, the season fee is $50. Only Logan County residents can be vendors.
Franchisees and resellers of mass-marketed goods are not allowed to sell them at the Farmers’ Market.
Logan County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Leann Martin is the market manager. Jim Turner is the Farmers’ Market president for 2019.