Along with blooming flowers, open windows and allergies comes another sign of Spring: Farmers' Markets. Across Central Appalachia, markets are opening up to offer fresh-grown produce, meat, eggs, herbs, flowers and a host of other items to their communities. Shopping at Farmers' Markets is a great way to support your local farmers, grow the local economy and build community. Studies have shown that 60% of folks who shop at Farmers' Markets also shop at other stores in the area, contributing $1 million and 43 full time jobs to the local economy in West Virginia alone in 2002 (before the explosion of the "buy local" movement). Another study showed that the average farmer makes around $11,000 a year just selling at Farmers' Markets. Plus you get the benefit of knowing exactly where your food comes from and meeting the person who feeds you and your family.
Many markets are already opening or will be opening in the next couple of weeks. Check out the list below to find a market near you.
In Eastern Kentucky:
Robinson Center Farmer’s Market, Jackson.
May 1 –December 31. Tuesdays & Fridays, 8am – 6pm; Saturdays 8am – 2pm
Estill County Farmers Market, Irvine.
May 24-October 25. Tuesdays 3pm – 7pm; Fridays 8am – 1pm
Senior Day: Monday (2nd of each month) 10am – 2pm
Jackson County Farmers’ Market, Tyner
May 1 – November 15. Mondays & Thursdays, 3pm; Tuesdays, 11am
London/Laurel CountyFarmers’ Market
April 1-October 31. Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 7am.
Morgan County Farmers’ Market, West Liberty
May 1 – October 29. Monday – Saturday, 8am – 8pm
Pike County Farmers' Market, Pikeville
May – October. Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am – 12 pm
Wolfe County Farmers’ Market, Campton
May 15 – October 31. Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 10am
For contact information and addresses, please visit the Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture's Farmer's Market Directory.
In Southeastern Ohio: April – November. Saturdays & Wednesdays, 10 am – 1 pm.
Trimble Township Farmers Market, Trimble
May – October, Fridays, 4-6 p.m.
River City Farmers Market, Marietta.
Year-round. Saturdays, 8am to 1pm.
Chesterhill Produce AuctionApril-October. Mondays 5 p.m.-dusk, Thursdays 3 p.m.-dusk
Morgan County Farmers Market, McConnelsville
April-October, Fridays 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Village of Chesterhill Farmers' Market
May-October, Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon.
For addresses and more information, please visit the Ohio Proud Farmer's Market page.
In East Tennessee:
Greenville Farmers Market.
April 16 –October 30. Wednesdays, 3pm, Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.
Johnson City Farmers Market
May 4-October 29. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7:00am-2:00pm
Johnson County Farmers Market, Mountain City
May 1 –September 24. Tuesdays, 3-6pm; Saturdays, 9am – 1pm
Jonesborough Farmers Market
May-October. Saturdays, 8am-noon
State Street Farmers Market, Bristol.
May 15 –October. Saturdays, 7am to 11:30am; Wednesdays, 3pm to 7pm
For market addresses and more information, please visit the Appalachian Farmer's Market Association.
In Southwest Virginia:
Abingdon Farmers Market
April 16-November 19. Tuesdays evenings from 3-6 pm Saturday mornings from 8 am to noon
Big Stone Gap Farmers Market.
May-October. Saturdays 8am – noon
Clinch River Farmers Market, St. Paul
April-October. Wednesdays, 2-5pm. Saturdays, 7am.-12pm.
Glade Spring Farmers Market
May-October Saturdays, 8am – noon
Lebanon Farmers' Market
April 23 –November 12. Wednesdays, 11am- 3pm, Saturdays, 7am – 1 pm
For market addresses and more information, please visit the Appalachian Farmer's Market Association.
In Southern West Virginia:
Calhoun County Farmer’s Market, Chloe.
May-October.Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Monroe Farm Market, Union.
May – October. Thursdays, 1 pm- 5pm
Lewisburg Farmers Market
Mid-May – Mid-October. Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Jackson County Farmers Market, Ripley.
May 7-October 29, Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-3 p.m.
Logan Farmers Market
Year-Round, Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Parkersburg Downtown Farmers Marketplace
May – October. Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am-2pm
Fayette County Farmers Market, Fayetteville
May 12 through October 12. Saturdays 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Capitol Market, Charleston.
Year-Round, Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (April-November)
For addresses and more information, please visit the WVU Extension Service Small Farm Center.
Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments!
