By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The Cabot Farmers Market’s 10th season is underway, offering locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and homemade crafts.
The market is held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Sept. 9 in the parking lot of Re:New Community Church, formerly the Bancroft building, 1122 S. Second St.
The farmers market should be full of vendors in June during peak growing season.
“I just love the fresh, locally-grown produce. Not much commercial fertilizers used. We are trying to eat as fresh as we can,” customer Joe Nixon of north Pulaski County said last Saturday.
For some sellers this was their first time at the Cabot Farmers Market. One of those vendors was Willow Tree Farms in Ward. Kathie Ball was selling red Russian kale, spinach and lettuce.
“This is home. All my friends and family live here. I wanted to contribute to Cabot’s economy,” she said.
Samantha Allen of Cabot was selling Della’s Natural Goodies: All-natural dog cookies, all-natural body scrubs, body butters and balms for people.
“They are gluten and grain free. A lot of dogs can’t eat wheat because they are allergic. I’ve been making dog cookies for 15 years. They are made of lentils, quinoa and flax seed,” Allen said.
Holmestead Farms, off Sumner Cemetery Road, had vegetables, eggs and wildflowers for sale.
Steve Holmes said he and his wife, Janet, are retired and gardening gives them time to do things together. It’s their first year at the farmers market.
“It’s a chance to meet people and other gardeners. We are not out here to make a living, we are here to make a life,” Holmes said.
Chelsea Goodman of Cabot had a table with Molly’s Farm. Her 6-year-old daughter Molly was getting 4-H experience. It was their first time at the market, but Molly went home early, because she was spending too much money at the other vendors’ tables.
“We’ve always had a garden, but never sold anything before. We sold out of radishes and turnips. We feed our family off our garden. What we sell is the excess,” Goodman said.
Many vendors though are returning sellers.
Barnhill Orchards had jams, strawberry cookies, onions, sweet potatoes and squash for sale.
Kathy Dickerson, owner of Stacy’s Fruit Farm in Austin, was selling honey, beeswax candles and muscadine jelly. It is her third year at the Cabot Farmers Market.
“I like the atmosphere and seeing my buddies from last year,” she said.
Calm and Gentle Dairy Goat Farm in Butlerville was selling goat-milk soap, fudge and taking orders for the farm’s goat milk.
Karen Bailey said, “It is nice talking to people. The money helps with goat feed and hay.”
She said over the years, she noticed more vendors and more customers.
Chuck DeSellems of Cabot was selling D’s Beez raw honey. He’s been a beekeeper for nine years.
Carman Farms had towels, scarves, candles and eggs.
Anne Carman has 100 chickens at her Woodlawn home. It is her third year at the Cabot Farmers Market.
Magness Creek Farm in Austin was also selling fresh eggs. It’s in its second year at the farmers market.
“We’ll have more produce when vegetables start producing in June,” Tonya Williams said.
“If you bring back an egg carton, you’ll get 25-cents off a carton of eggs,” she said.
Williams said she liked the Cabot Farmers Market because she enjoys being outdoors and selling.
Troy Stogsdill of Cabot was selling woodcrafts, benches and crosses.
“I’m retired. It gives me something to do,” he said.
The Cabot Farmers Market could have a new look next year. The city and the fire department are working on plans for building a new Central Fire Station next to Re:New Church. The current station is in downtown. It is small and difficult to move fire trucks in and out of traffic.
Plans are to build two pavilions for a permanent home for the farmers market.
It will be a covered structure with fans, electrical outlets and have restrooms. The plans are in the early stages and funding must be approved by the city council.
Cost estimates have not been determined.
Cabot City Beautiful organizes the farmers market. It is looking for local vendors.
The cost for vendors is $10 per Saturday. It is first come, first serve with no reserved spots. Vendors’ products must be either locally grown or made and can be sold from the back of their trucks.
To sign up, call 501-920-2122 or email cabotbeautiful@yahoo.com.
