Published: April 30, 2008 04:21 pm            

Farmer’s Market kicks off second season May 10

As most dynamic endeavors are wont to do, this year’s sequel of the Fayette County Farmers Market will reveal some evolutionary growth from its successful inaugural season last year, according to Savanna Lyons, a member of its board of directors and co-chair of its advertising and outreach committee.

Details are still being worked out on some of the changes for 2008, but Lyons is eyeing a gardening project for youngsters and possibly an extra market day each week at an alternative location.

“We’re really excited, just because there’s been so much support for this second market. All the farmers who came to our end-of-season meeting (last fall) were excited about (possibly) having a second day. That was sign of life No. 1,” Lyons quipped.

“That momentum is continuing. People would do several market days if they could — if we could keep up with the cucumbers.”

By design, this year’s market kicks off May 10 — the day before Mother’s Day. “It will be a plant sale for Mother’s Day. There won’t be a lot of produce available, but some people want (starter plants) and flowers. We’ll have some crafts, as well as eggs and bread — all-season fare,” explained Lyons, of the market’s opening day.

The market will operate every Saturday thereafter, up to and including Bridge Day on Oct. 18, when the market sets up shop on the New River Gorge Bridge itself to close out the season.

Lyons and other organizers are working on a second location for the market during a weekday evening. That could come to fruition as early as mid-May, she hopes.

Another new feature for this year involves a partnership between the market and Fayette County 4-H members. Middle-schoolers from the Nuttall area have already agreed to participate in the project. The would-be future farmers will garden at their own homes, said Lyons, and the produce will later be sold in the market.

In exchange, participants will get credit for their annually required 4-H project and receive a free membership to the market. “It will help us with some of our marketing,” she added.

“It’s a cool partnership. Some of them came with their parents last year and had a really great time. We hope to be able to do a little more with workshops. What we’re doing is setting up workshops and resources to help them (the 4-H members) with their projects.”

As it did last year, the market will operate from 7:30 until 11:30 each Saturday morning in the parking lot on the Wiseman Avenue side of the Fayette County Courthouse in Fayetteville.

        

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