Farmer's Markets Archives - A Country Girl's Heart -Beats that Matter

April 25, 2020April 25, 2020

5 Reasons to Shop Local Farmers Markets

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I recently learned of a story telling how a great uncle hauled cucumbers into a local town about 7 to 10 miles from the homestead. Here sat large wooden barrels where cucumbers soaked to be hauled off on the train as pickles.

A picture of the place my great uncle hauled pickles. I wonder if my Grandpa did too.

It must have taken an entire day to drive with horses pulling a wagon loaded with cucumbers almost 10 miles, unload the cucumbers and drive home. Imagine the time involved in hand picking all those cucumbers before somebody in the family needed to spend an entire day hauling a load to town. Yet, in those days it was worth it? Our American society needs were different during that time.

I heard my great uncle had the following to say about hauling pickles:

“He said his Dad was one best pickle sorter and the pickle factory knew it. They always had him unloaded ahead rest of the wagons they knew he always had the best sorted pickle.”

These ‘days gone by’ marked the beginning of the industrialized and global market we know today. While some changes are good, others sadden me. Why does a farmer today need money from the government to survive when he or she produces one of the most important commodities for human life: food?

In our current crisis why does a farmer find themselves reliant on a global economy for income when neighbors need to eat? These same neighbors purchase food that may or may not have even been produced in our own country.

Why Local Farmer’s Markets Today

CG Heartbeats Farm table at a 2019 Market

Here is where I see a huge value in a local farmers market, not only do you support families in the community where you live, you are also able to gain first hand knowledge of practices used to produce the food you eat.

I am not sure how you think about this, but I hate it when I read ingredients on a package to realize there are several that I do not know what they are or why I want to put that inside of myself.

Does it take longer to cook your own food? Maybe, but not always. It is rather, a mind set shift. I would like to use garlic as an example. Until I began raising my own garlic, I always used the dry stuff that came in a shake out container.

Fresh Garlic vs. Dried Store Garlic Powder

Easy to open the cupboard and dump. But not much more work to use real garlic once you have a process in place. Mine looks like this:

Granted this does involve a few additional steps. Key in this process is a good garlic press. I have tried a few different ones. I highly recommend a quality hand garlic press to help the process go smoothly. The whole process takes me less than 5 minutes.

We just decided that it takes about 5 minuets or less to use real garlic, so what is the motivation behind adding a few more minuets to cooking a meal?

Health Benefits and Flavor

Health benefits first prompted me to start growing my own garlic. I found that it grows well here at CG Heartbeats Farm and most varieties grow rather large.

Order Garlic

Grown with no chemicals at CG Heartbeats Farm

Excited to offer shipped garlic.
Now order and pay for online.
Garlic ships in September and October
Limited to the lower 48 states in the US.

**Click Here** or on **above picture** to order / pre-order garlic. 2020 garlic crop ships in September or October.

Order Today

Using fresh food enhances flavor dramatically. This applies anytime a person uses a fresh food, even home processed (frozen, canned, or dried) over some similar product processed in _______ (Who knows? Fill in the blank.)

These days I find it most unfortunate the difficulty of knowing truly where food came from. A label may only read a location in the United States where a package was distributed from. I feel a disappointed at the lack of disclosure on several different factors of many food options today.
~ M. Graber

5 Reasons for Shopping Local Farmers Market

Here are my top reasons for choosing to shop at local farmers market. We can all utilize our local markets as often as possible.

What reasons would you add to what I listed above? Leave a comment sharing why you find local farmers markets important.

Shop Online at Local Farmers Market

Relevant to our current call to social distance, a new way to shop at local farmers markets has emerged. Online shopping with local pick up. One market in Culver, Indiana uses a web company called Local Line. CG Heartbeats Farm now offers online ordering as a part of Culver Farmers Market. Check it out if you are in or near Marshall County Indiana as this site is for local sales ONLY! https://www.localline.ca/cg-heartbeats-farm

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August 19, 2019August 23, 2019

Culver Farmer’s Market

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Warm, summer months, fondly reminds of time spent in, on, or at a body of water, be it lake, river or stream. What a better way to shop in the summer, than at Culver’s Farmers Market located on Lake Maxinckuckee in the lovely town of Culver, Indiana. One fact I like about Culver is the small town feeling and the locally owned business that line the street across from the lake shore. A public beach and boat launch provide opportunity to enjoy the water in a way that suits you best. Here every Saturday morning from 9 am to 1 pm and Tuesdays from 5 pm to 7 pm.you will find local farmers and artitisans displaying their wares and produce. Not only does this add to the old time feel of the town, but it provides the opportunity to purchase locally produced food and art. The health benefits of locally produced food last longer than the delicious taste in ones mouth all while supporting a local family and business. CG Heartbeats Farm is happy to be a vendor for the summer of 2019. I can tell you first hand the breezes of the lake have already proved better than any air conditioner I have encountered, but then I do prefer fresh air over air conditioning. In this post, we are going to meet the hard-working folks that bring their unique products to the Culver Farmer’s Market.

Market Days

Tuesdays from 5 pm to 7 pm

Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm

The Shook Shack

Do you enjoy baked goods such as homemade bread, cookies, pies, and cheesecake? Stop by the pink tent to find a local delicious favorite treat and visit with Tara.

Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Shook-Shack

Flower Hill Farm

Rebecca brings a variety of in season fresh locally and organically produced fruits and veggies, along with fresh flowers. You may also purchase her local produce at their farm stand open on Tuesdays from 9 am to 12 pm and Fridays from 4-7 PM located at 2366 700 E, Akron, Indiana 46910

Find Flower Hill Farm on FB: https://www.facebook.com/FlowerHillFarmm/

CG Heartbeats Farm

Do you like local fresh farm eggs? Chickens from CG Heartbeats are fed Non- GMO feed. Maria enjoys painting birdhouses. You will often see her painting at the market. She also brings fresh garlic, tomatoes, onions, and other seasonal items. New for 2019 she is bringing Glass Gem popcorn and Jacob Cattle Beans (a pretty soup bean). CG Heartbeats Farm focuses on raising heirloom plants working toward increased sustainability.

Find CG Heartbeats Farm on FB at www.facebook.com/countrygirlheartbeatsfarm

IG at www.instagram.com/countrygirlheartbeatsfarm

website: www.dontclipmywings.com

Jim and Peggy Metz

Are you looking for a custom corn hole game? Be sure to check out the variety of options, or chat with Jim about a custom-made game. If you just want to spend time enjoying the market, they always have a set out for all to enjoy. Grab a few friend or family members and play a quick game at the market. One of many ways to enjoy Culver Farmer’s Market. Along with other craft items, you will also find Yardzaee, a yard game that is a spin-off of Yatzee.

Jan Peyser Jewelry

Jan sells earrings, necklaces and other jewelry.

Check out her complete inventory at her Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/janpeyserjewelry

Amor Farm

Are you looking for locally raised grass-fed beef and local raised pork? You will find it at the Amor Farm vendor tent. A family farm located near Culver and made up of 3 generations. Eldon and Sandra Sr. their sons Eldon Jr. (wife Sandy Jr.) and Paul (wife Andi) and grandson Wyatt started coming to the Culver Market 4 years ago as Wyatt had extra produce left from his 4-H projects. As of a year and a half ago, they bring meat and jerky from grass feed beef.

Two Acre Farm

You can not miss the creative birdhouses hanging and sitting at the canopy of Two Acre Farm. They offer other uniquely crafted items.

Check out their FB page to see pictures. https://www.facebook.com/TwoAcreFarm/

Hole in the Woods Farm

A ten-year vendor of Culver Farmer’s Market, Chad is in charge of managing not only Hole in Woods Farm, but also running the market. His wife, Xenia, creates beautiful jewelry in part from repurposed items and pressed flowers. You can find her booth under the pavilion alongside their locally produced fruits and vegetables. Sometimes they may even have a goose egg or two. Their Culver, Indiana farm is Certified Naturally Grown.

Find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hole.in.the.woods.farm/

Website: https://shop.holeinthewoodsfarm.com/

Ma and Pa Craw

Michelle brings locally raised honey, farm fresh eggs and other handmade items. She makes cute, uniquely shaped treatments for cast iron. I vouch for their effectiveness as I have used them myself. Here you will also find hand made creations by Mary.

Find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mapacrawhoney/

Matt’s Frames

Specializing in sales of historical images from Culver, Marshall County and the surrounding region, they use creativity and imagination to make stunning framed artwork for area images and found objects including local postcards. All are carefully UV protected before final assembly. Need artwork or pictures framed be sure to find Matt set up near the railroad station. To reach him outside of the market, call: 574-842-8864

Barb’s Place

Barb brings unique jams to the Culver Farmer’s Market along with homemade dog treats, and peanut butter brittle.

Culver Creations

Find uniquely painted furniture in a variety of options. Ask for custom options.

Debra Imhoff

Check out the homemade baked good at Debra’s table under the pavillian.

Lisa Goble

Lisa makes hanging towels, aprons (including child sizes), and various sizes of hot pads. Get you kitchen up to date with her matching sets. If you don’t see what you are looking for, be sure to ask her for a custom set.

Maxinkuckee Corn

Find many flavors of popcorn at the market. It is a must have like cotton candy at the county fair. This way you can snack while you shop.

Zen Farm

This is your one stop shop for all soap needs, shower and bath too!

Union Church of the Brethern

Find pretty, woven rag rugs. Long before repurposing was popular this was a way to put older material to good use, such as cloths belonging to a loved one passed away. Today, they are still a pretty way to decorate a home.

110 Blackberry Farm

Check out the delicious healthy blackberries that are lower in sugar, higher in vitamins and minerals. Yum, the blackberries are so good!!!! Brian brings other fruits to the market for purchase as they are seasonally available. I thoroughly enjoyed strawberries earlier this summer.

Click on 110 Blackberry for their Facebook page.

Blooms on 800

Julie creates beautiful arrangement with succulents, air plants and fresh cut flowers. She continues to expand her inventory with new creative ideas. This summer she can be found at the Tuesday Culver Market from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Connect with Julie on Facebook at her page Blooms on 800.

Taco Truck

A favorite of the Tuesday markets, Las Palmas provides authentic Mexican cuisine. Check out their menu below:

Non Profit Groups at the Market

Friends of the Library

This group brings older books to sell and gives the profits to the local library. Look for them set up on a picnic table. Pictured below are a few of my finds.

Lions Club

Freida, faithfully attends the market to sell nuts and brooms for the Culver Lions Club. She has proven to be an inspiration to me. At this past winter market, I found my table next to hers some weeks. During these times, I found myself challenged in listening to her stories.

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April 4, 2019April 4, 2019

Kosciusko County Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market

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If you have been following this blog over the past few months, I shared that I had attended 2 different indoor farmer’s markets local to my area. I wrote about the Culver Farmer’s Market and the Indoor Holiday Market in Bremen, Indiana. On March 30, 2019, I attended a third, new to me, indoor farmer’s market, the Kosciusko County Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market. I had wanted to attend in February, but I did not make it happen. This market has existed for 40 years.

The morning dawned crisp with a colorful sunrise. The air was sharp, but fresh. I arrived and found a friend Julie, who was there with her succulent and fresh flower business, Blooms on 800. She, not only, showed me where to get the provided table, but helped me set it up. The room was large. After setting out the wreaths, birdhouses, and signs, I took a look around at some of the other offerings.

Are you interested in making a shift toward living a sustainable, homestead lifestyle no matter where you reside? Get your FREE list 10 Ways to Start Homesteading Today.Several of these ideas can be done with out spending a penny.

Take a closer look for your self by viewing this short video showing many of the options to purchase that day.

I chatted with a woman who, along with her husband sells pasteurized goat milk. It was most interesting conversation as I grew up drinking raw goat milk until I was around 11 years old. It is good to hear others stories. I made it back to my table and began painting.

Two of the ‘new’ wren houses I will be painting. They will be covered with protective coating so they can actually be used outside!

I had brought a couple of the new actual bird houses that are for real wrens to use. They are super cute and as I write I am feeling excited for the ways I can paint on them. I will then coat them with a clear protectant to allow them to stay ‘pretty’ when used outside and exposed to the weather.

I played around with black and white to come up with this roof color. I have really enjoyed mixing colors for the unique individual results I end up with.

On that day I choose to paint a decorative bird house with a similar picture I had done at the last Culver Market (Culver, Indiana). The final product pictured below.

Another vendor approached me with a request for a custom order. A painted bird house that would have the ability to hold business cards on their vendor table. The conversation provided interesting information about producing corn and other non-GMO vegetables while not cross pollinating with area crops. I look forward to working with that family to fill their request. One of my favorite parts of the market was the young ladies who hung out with me to watch me paint. I believe in the importance of investing in future generations. I want to plant seeds of inspiration even when I may never see the full development and effect.

As the market wrapped up for the day, I took a spin of the wheel at the Kosciusko County Master Gardeners Association. It landed on the question: What is the state tree of Indiana? I was happy to see a multiple-choice answer. White Ash, Tulip Tree or White Oak were my choices. I choose Tulip Tree and won a pack of carrot seeds. Yeah!!!! I like seeds! You never know what fun you will find at a farmer’s market.

This indoor winter market was held in Warsaw, Indiana every third Saturday of the month. I happened to attend the last one, but they have a great (so I have been told) summer market that is held on an actual street. I like that. It has an old world feel to it. Do you agree? Check out the summer market details below.

Location: Downtown Warsaw, Indiana between Buffalo and Lake Streets
Date: Every Saturday beginning May 4, 2019 through October 26, 2019 rain or shine
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Cost: $0 to attend

Farmer’s Markets provide a place to connect with those who produce your food in a local area. Some even provide live music which is my icing on the cake. May I challenge you to look for markets local to your area and support the local economy? Who knows? You make new friends, find a healthier way to eat, enjoy good music and teach the younger generation by example.

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December 14, 2018June 21, 2019

Indoor Market #2: Culver

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On November 17, 2018 I attended my first indoor Farmer’s Market in Bremen, Indiana. I am looking forward to the possibility of a February Bremen Indoor Market in 2019 with a Valentine theme. I decided with eggs to sell and crafts to make I would try a second indoor market. I had seen on Facebook and Instagram that the town of Culver was hosting an indoor Famer’s Market twice a month through April 2019. Further investigation revealed that temporary vendors were accepted as space allowed.

Finding the vendor information and application links on the Culver Farmer’s Market Facebook page, I applied. A few days later I learned I was indeed welcome to attend the following Saturday.

The weather proved miserable by the time I arrived and was unloading the car. Wind driven rain, and temperatures in the 30’s had me shivering. The atmosphere inside was however was warm and friendly to this newcomer. I enjoyed the view overlooking Lake Maxinkackee. A fog hovered over the choppy, wind driven waves of the lake and I felt cozy inside the Beach Lodge. Happy with my display, I settled into painting on a couple different bird houses. I found painting at the Bremen Indoor Market gave authenticity to the finished birdhouses on display. If not for anyone else, certainly for my own satisfaction.

I made a short video to allow you to look at the variety of options to shop for at the Culver Indoor Market. So please be sure to click on the video and enjoy a close up view of many of the items available.

Watch a short video showing vendor wares at the Culver Indoor Market in Culver, Indiana

Each market varies a bit with vendors attendance and I did not get a picture of every available item. If you are local to northern Indiana and southern Michigan, be sure to check out the Culver Indoor Market this Saturday December 15, 2018. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the first and third Saturday’s now through April. The Market is free to visit and enjoy live music while you shop.

Location: Beach Lodge, Culver Town Park, 819 E Lake Shore Drive, Culver, IN 46511

Time: 9 am to 1 pm

Leave a comment sharing your favorite item from the video.

In Summary

I am happy to have attended this market and look forward to providing farm fresh, NON -GMO eggs, crafts and other items at future markets. I met locals, some who embrace similar values, and will enjoy getting to know how they homestead in their own unique way.

What did I buy?

Local grass fed hamburger and ginger snap cookies.

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November 28, 2018December 4, 2018

A Holiday Farmer’s Market

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With the garlic planted, I was ready to turn my attention to the upcoming Indoor Farmer’s Market and cweek to prepare for the first Indoor Market in Bremen. Knowing that the hens were molting I wanted to have more to take than eggs, if I would have any. Egg production drops off when the hens molt. I contacted my Mom and she was trilled with the idea of making crafts for the sale. Earlier in the fall I had looked over boxes of craft items my Mom had stored for future creations. The only item I was sure she had was A LOT of fake evergreen.

She had many birds, little wooden bird houses, other wooden pieces, ribbon, beads, fake snow, bows, and other pieces to create to our hearts content. I picked up some paint and found more in my own craft supplies. I probably have not even looked into my craft boxes for over 5 years.

Day 1:
Armed with my hot glue gun, a few bottles of paint, along with purchases I had recently made, I set out on an almost 2-hour drive to spend an afternoon painting little decorative bird houses. My Mom had come up with the idea to make the bird houses as if they were gingerbread houses, but first they would need a base paint. These cute things were no taller than 4 inches. I had purchased brown paint to hopefully resemble a gingerbread house.

After painting a few brown ones, I wanted to play with the red, green and white I had brought along. Time flew by that first afternoon. My mom and I had planned to take a break and make a short trip for coffee and donuts (for Mom) and food with more substance for me. A special way to spend time with family hanging out and expressing our creative side.

Day 2:
I looked out my window to see a whole bunch of white covering the landscape in the beautiful way only fresh fallen snow can. The drive took longer, but the pretty view along the way left me feeling like I arrived in no time. I sat down and went right to work with a paint brush. I seemed to move from one to the other thinking on ideas of what I wanted to create on a previous house as I worked. I switched from painting to work on a wreath. I needed to take a break from the brush. As I worked my thoughts went from gingerbread houses to a winter scene with snow covered pine trees. Humm I wonder…. if I could paint a pine tree….?

I recalled a time in fourth grade, that I had sat down with a blank piece of card board and various colors of chalk. I had messed around a bit with drawing, as a child might, but not with any flow or success. Drawing usually felt like a struggle, something that I had to think hard about. This day I was recalling, the picture began to appear beneath the splashes of chalk. I was looking a painting of 3 collie dogs, but drawing in chalk. I sat alone in our living room, mentally tuning into a creative, artistic zone. I heard the voices of people working in our house trailer that day as if they were a TV playing in the background. In reality, there was many who had come over to clean up a big mess, made when I had unleased an entire fire extinguisher on a single electrical outlet. The act alone, I was told, is why there was a heavy covering of dust like material in the entire house trailer. Had I not acted quickly, there would have been NO house to clean. I felt terrified when I saw flames coming from the outlet. Looking back, I now believe the drawing of the collie dog provided an outlet for emotion overwhelm. That day, the face of a collie seemed to me to simply appear from the strokes of chalk, there was a flow I had never felt before. I struggled many times after that as I attempted to draw pictures, but rarely, if ever, felt the synchronicity of seeing with my mind and creating with my hands. On the day in my memory…I wondered, ‘Could I draw the face of a collie with those pieces of chalk.’ I had found them when working to clean up the mess.

Back to the current day, sitting with a paint brush in hand I again felt the flow from my mind to the picture that appeared as I painted. The fact I was feeling a similar connection between my hand creating and the picture I was seeing in my mind had reminded me of the day of the fire.

Market Day

The day of the market arrived. I made use of the option to take items in the day before, so set up was fast on Saturday morning.

Having been a vendor at Bremen’s summer Farmer’s Market, I enjoyed seeing familiar faces of both vendors and customers alike. This time I sat painting, while chatting with people new and old. I enjoyed this version of a market. There were new to me vendors attending the indoor market, such as Millers Goat and Garden.

This of course caught my attention since I grew up around goats. A bit more about my child hood in the blog post titled: Roots and Wings: New Life ~ Goats. Word has it, a Valentine’s Day Market is in consideration for February. Be sure to visit and like the Facebook page for Bremen Farmer’s Market for updates using the link posted below.

www.facebook.com/BremenFarmersMarket

And stop by the CG Heartbeats Farm Facebook page for farm news, local market updates, new blog posts and other interesting bits of info.

In summary, Bremen’s event, A Holiday Farmers Market, was a success for me. I sold a few things, and conversed with people in the community I had not met before. I also had reason to spend 2 days with my Mom as we prepared. Simply put: A Holiday Farmer’s Market equaled a fun time! This years indoor market was a first time event for Bremen, Indiana. A first of many, I hope!!

A big thank you to Yoder’s Bremen Hardware in downtown Bremen, Indiana for providing the venue along with chairs and tables for the event.

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September 26, 2018January 1, 2019

Farmer Markets – Nappanee Farm and Flea Market

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In July, I began attending a second weekly farm market and what follows tells a bit of my experience.

As I have shared in my previous post about the Bremen Farmer’s Market, one of the fun rewards of attending included making new friends. Julie attended the Bremen Market bringing beautiful fresh cut flowers and displayed them in a unique way. Setting up next to her one Wednesday evening I believe the first words out of my mouth were, “I love your cart. It is so cute!” I adored her the way she presented her flowers. I learned it was an old, repurposed fire hose cart with wooden boxes added to sell from.

We chatted throughout the evening and she gave me information about a market in a near by town where she also sold flowers. I had not sold all my eggs that week and was of course gaining more by the day. The hens were busy laying at that point in the summer. I decided to give the Nappanee Farm and Flea Market a try.

At this point I still had no canopy and the sun was hot a few of those summer mornings. I recall the good feeling of adding a second market to my week. It was a few weeks later I found myself blessed with a canopy. I enjoyed the cover from the hot sun.

I met a few people that were visiting from other states. Texas and California are two places that immediately come to mind. These conversations interest me as I learn about what others are doing around the country. Hearing their food and other lifestyle goals provide insight to what people value. Taking few minutes for true human connection seems to be a rarity in today’s social media society. This is what makes farmer’s markets enjoyable to me.

Take a look around the market on July 28, 2018

Ashley and her family joined us in Nappanee a few times with their local raised grass-fed pork. For the months of July and August various vendors attended.
This past summer I have learned much plan to share more about that in a future post. Hoping to gain repeat egg customers I believed in my commitment of showing up consistently. As it turned out on several days I was unable to attend. I was gone on vacation in August and as September rolled around I found many of the hens were going into molt leaving me with less eggs. I regrettably had little to take to the Nappanee Market as most of what I had to sell, I sold at the Bremen Farmer’s Market on Wednesday’s. This will need to be resolved for markets next year as I look at what other items I plan to raise for my own consumption and to take to markets.

Click on the picture to connect and order your own local raised heritage breed pork

I feel thankful for a place to sell eggs for human consumption and happy to provide local food as an option for purchase. I have enjoyed meeting new people at Nappanee’s Farm and Flea Market just like I did at the Bremen Farmer’s Market. As the season closes and I look forward to next year’s plans, I see that I need to add additional items if I am to grow my income.

This coming Saturday is the official last market of the 2018 season in Nappanee.

Nappanee Farm and Flea Market

Where: the north east parking lot at Coppes Commons in Nappanee, Indiana

When: Saturdays 9am to 1pm

Who: For all who find value in locally sourced food, enjoy items from the past, and crafts of today, pretty flowers, and potted plants. You will find something for your table and perhaps other places in the house as well. These events are free and open to the public. Take the family out for fresh air, and face to face interactions while shopping for local produce and eggs. Check out all Coppes Commons has to offer inside while you are there.

What: A place to connect with vendors who provide fresh vegetables, crafts, eggs, antiques and flea market items, seedling trees fresh cut flowers, home sewn clothes, and locally raised grass fed pork.

What are your favorite items to shop for at a Farmer’s Market? Leave a comment below to share or send an email.

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September 19, 2018February 9, 2022

Farmer’s Market ~ Bremen, Indiana

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As I mentioned in a previous post (Local Farmer Markets), earlier this year I needed to find an additional outlet for eggs that I was not selling as hatching eggs or hatching myself. As I looked at options, I decided to try a local farmer market located in Bremen, Indiana.

Opening night of the 2018 season stands out as the favorite of the entire summer. Having 11 doz. eggs to part with I set a sale price in order to move them. I did indeed part with all 11 dozen. Happy as I was with that fact, the best part was the enjoyment that occurred on my part. A guest musician played old country and gospel favorites, music filled the air, but not in an overbearing manner. I learned at 6 pm each evening a church tower in town rang out familiar tunes. Again, music filled the air, at this point I breathed a sigh of contentment for a cool breeze flowed on the night air and all felt peaceful and right in my world. Here I am getting ahead of myself in the telling of the evening.

I was not as early as I had hoped to be and felt a rush of anxious thoughts coming on as I droved as rapidly as the speed limit allowed. The afternoon had sped by rapidly as I hunted out items make this first farmer market a success. What did I have to use as table and chair? What about signs? What could I sell besides eggs? How to price for sales? All to soon the time indicated I needed to leave and make the best of the first night. I had wanted to wait until the next week to attend. I had been encouraged to attend that week so I decided to do my best and go with what I had.

I chased away nervous thoughts of self-doubt. I was going to at least be present and consistent. An important part of starting business and getting one’s name out to the public, I continued to hear from those more experienced than myself in start up operations.

Finding Gayle, the coordinator, I chased away self-defeating thoughts. She was warm and generous finding me a bit of assistance in unpacking my car and setting up. As I sat down in a chair I had won several years back barrel racing Roses Casino, I resolved to enjoy my evening despite no canopy or cover, a small table and simple signs. I say simple as they were made of index cards printed on with markers pinned to a small bulletin board I had in the house. I did not have much more than that for my first event. I used the backs of previously printed Eagle Equine business cards to share this website and reach new readers.

For me, the evening was almost perfect. I enjoyed meeting new people of my nearby town and hoped to see familiar faces throughout the summer. I felt pleased meeting many of the vendors. Some would not stay the entire summer, others would become friends. That first night I started thinking of ways I could improve my sales, other produce I might have available through out the summer, and items that would be nice and some necessary to add to my simple display. This first event began my learning process.

Click on the photo above to order soap or contact Sue via a FB group.

As the summer went on I sold black raspberries, garlic, garlic scapes, fresh cut flowers, small tomatoes of 2 different varieties, early summer squash, seedling trees and perhaps I will yet sell sweet potatoes depending on the harvest yield. I wrote down produce I was ask for and multiple ideas I had as they came to me throughout the summer. I started giving thought to what preparations I wanted to make for next year.

I added new items. Some purchased out of my earnings and others contributed by the support of my spouse. A canopy was the most expensive investment, perhaps the most appreciated when the rain fell or the sun beat down with added almost unbearable humidity. I retired the small wooden table for a card table that served different a purpose in my house. It was easier to transport and larger. I have given thoughts to a display involving both in the future as I add more items. Attractive Longaberger baskets I had on hand, a small chalk board, a small wooden box, chalk signs and a toy easel with white board on one side and chalk on the other all became new tools for displaying various items.

One of the best parts of being a vendor has been making new friends and seeing familiar friendly faces of returning customers. I have gained new friends and acquaintances as I learned to know different vendors who have also attended through out the summer. I am grateful to the many people in the community who visit and purchase from various vendors. There are some who seem to find a way to show up every week and shop the market.

There are only two more weeks left for the Bremen’s Market in 2018: tonight and next week. The last week promises to be special too. Bremen carries the nickname “Mint City” due to a history of producing mint. The theme for the last market of 2018 will be mint.

Bremen Farmers Market

Where: Located on the corner of Jackson and Main Street downtown Bremen, Indiana near the historic water tower.

When: Every Wednesday from 4 PM to 7 PM May through September

Who: Anyone who finds value in home grown food, locally crafted wares, delicious baked goods, potted flowers and plants. These events are free and open to the public. Take the family out for an evening of fresh air, delicious eats, treats and while shopping for local produce and eggs.

What: Vendors have varied throughout the summer. Leather crafts, home knitted mittens and hats, honey, maple syrup, produce, eggs, baked goods, fresh cut flowers, plants, mums, tree seedlings, homemade soaps, local raised grass fed pork, breads, fruit, and herbal tinctures make up most of what has been offered at the Bremen Farmer’s Market. Tonight, a new vendor, Poppin off Popcorn will be attending with specialty popcorn flavors.

Stay connected online with the Bremen Farmer’s Market on FB: Click on Bremen Farmer’s Market

History

Bremen’s Farmers Market started in 2015 to provide a place for local producers to present their wares to the general public.

Have you ever attended a Farmers Market? Leave a comment with your experience.

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