April 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Farmers Market is under new leadership!
An advisory board has been established to oversee the farmers market which is in operation again this year through October on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 12 noon located on East Bryant Street between DeKalb Ace Hardware and the county complex building.
For more than a dozen years the farmers market has been available for farmers to display their homegrown produce. Its also been a source for artisan crafts, baked goods, and more. But in recent years, participation has waned and most of the original organizers have stepped down.
With the 2024 growing season on the horizon, advisory board members are making a few changes this year hoping to renew interest.
“At one time the farmers market was very vibrant,” said advisory board member and county commissioner Larry Green. “In the last few years there has been less participation. We are trying to get that participation back up so we now have an advisory board to oversee and give advice to the farmers market. A lot of people like to bring out their produce and sell it directly to the public and whether they are aware of it or not, the public can get some great buys there and some really good produce,” explained Green.
In the past, anyone wanting to rent a space at the farmers market were required to pay a small fee to help underwrite the cost of operation. Starting this year, Green said no fee is required because the county will be picking up the tab for the costs of insurance and utilities thanks to the support of County Mayor Matt Adcock
“Some of the expenses the farmers market was having to pay including all the utilities and insurance on it, the county is now picking that up so people can now come out and display their goods and it doesn’t cost them anything. They can come out and set up. We would really like to thank County Mayor Adcock because it was he who made the decision that the county could pick up the utilities. He met with us (advisory board) and provided his input and he is fully on board with what we are doing,” said Green,
Those who display goods will still have to follow farmers market guidelines on what can be sold and they will have to register with the advisory board, at no charge, before making use of the space. Anyone who wishes to sign up for a farmers market space can reach board members Gena Cripps and Rebecca Coleman at DeKalb Ace Hardware weekdays. Right now the farmers market has a chain across it because we have had some vandalism so you will need to see someone to have that taken down to get access to it,” said Green.
“Gena and Rebecca are right there at the hardware store so they are convenient for people who have questions. For example if someone wants to set up a display on Saturday mornings, they can go to the hardware store which opens at seven a.m. and pick up an application from Gena or Rebecca. Its just a little form they have to fill out so we can know who is there at the farmers market and once they fill out the form we will assign them a space,” said Green.
Cripps encourages the public to support and make use of the farmer’s market this year.
“Right now we are seeing a lot of baked goods because the vegetables are not here yet. For instance my mom (Jean Hayes) will have fried pies and bread. We have Suzanne Sliger that comes out. She has really good sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls. Sarah Hildreth is becoming one of our regulars with cakes and cookies. This past Saturday for the first time that I know of we had homemade laundry detergent and scented dryer balls and we’ll soon have homemade candles. Another family has a daughter who makes jewelry and her mom made a cheesecake and brought it. There are a lot of great people who come out. It’s a fun place to be on Saturday mornings,” said Cripps.
Green said the farmers market could also be a source for certain non-profits to sell products.
“We are open to any civic organization that wants to come out and hold an event. For example, girl scouts may want to have a cookie drive and sell their cookies. We will work with groups like that. It is going to be reserved for farmers on Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings but if someone wants to come in on Saturday afternoon and do something, we are open to that too. We are not real strict on the time. We don’t have to stop at twelve noon if people are still there and want to buy things. We just want the public to get involved. Obviously, people are not going to come out and set up their goods unless the public shows up. Some of the surrounding towns have really good farmers markets and that’s what we would like to create here in DeKalb County,” said Green.
For more information call 615-785-8859
Members of the DeKalb Farmers Market Advisory Board are Larry Green, Norval Young, Jean Hayes, Lora Webb, Gena Cripps, Rebecca Coleman, and Jackie Norton.
DeKalb County Farmer’s Market Guidelines:
“The Farmer’s Market for DeKalb County is located at 205 East Bryant Street, next to the DeKalb Community Complex and DeKalb County Ace Hardware and is operated by the county to provide a safe and convenient location for farmers to sell their “home-grown goods” as defined herein. Additionally, “hand-crafted items” may be sold as defined herein”.
“Home-grown goods” shall mean produce, vegetables, fruits, nuts, plants, ornamentals and any other product of farm and garden that are grown in the State of Tennessee during its appropriate growing season by farmers, truck growers, fruit growers, and horticulturists who are residents of DeKalb County or surrounding counties”.
“A handicraft, more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft or handmade, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorate objects are made completely by one’s hand or by using only simple, non-automated related tools like scissors, carving implements, or hooks”.
“Tennessee Department of Agriculture requirements: Items such as molasses, honey, eggs, farm fresh frozen meats, baked goods, jelly, jams, and candy must meet the TDA requirements to be offered for sale at the farmers market”.
Rules and Regulations:
1. Farmers or producers from DeKalb County, and residents from the 14 county Upper Cumberland area as follows: Putnam, Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Pickett, Overton, Smith, Warren, White, and Van Buren counties are permitted to sell home grown/crafted goods.
2. Designated days and hours will be as follows: Wednesdays and Saturdays 7 AM until 12 Noon. Set-up and selling will not be permitted on any other days.
3. All vendors to complete an information form prior to selling produce/goods.
4. Consistent (may be present 3 times a month or more) vendors will receive a designated setup area. Other vendors who may not attend as often may setup in vacant areas on a first come, first served basis.
5. No secondhand items brought from home or purchased for resale will be permitted.
6. Parking is on a first come basis. No vehicle, trailer, equipment, etc. shall be allowed to occupy any portion of the market for the purpose of pre-empting a position thereon. Vendors may unload and load their items from their vehicle under the Farmer’s Market, but then need to move their vehicles to designated parking areas.
7. No vehicle, trailer, equipment, etc. shall be parked on the premises for the purpose of selling said vehicle, trailer, or equipment.
8. No permanent displays or installations will be allowed.
9. Vendors shall clean their area and help keep the general marker and the restrooms clean.
10. Rule violators will receive one warning. A second violation will result in suspension/revocation upon the Advisory board’s decision.
11. Inquiries about other events to be held at the Farmer’s Market will be determined by the Farmer’s Market Advisory Board on a case-by-case basis.
Farmer’s Market contact number: 615-785-8859.