Monroe County Farmers Market: bountiful opening day

By Jennifer Moonsong

The first official weekend of summer 2016 brought the opening day of the Monroe County Farmers Market.
On Saturday morning, June 25th, growers, crafters and artisans gathered in the market pavilion behind Walmart to sell their wares.

“We’ve seen several people, we’ve had a pretty good crowd coming through,” said Sherry Walker, who was present to help represent Walker Photography.

“We’ve had a pretty good turn out,” said Ken Johnson of the UK Agricultural Extension Office of Monroe County.

“Because it isn’t deep into summer yet, we don’t have as many vendors as we will later in the summer when more produce is ready.”

One point of pride for Johnson is that they are able to provide such a nice, covered area for vendors, without charge.

“We don’t have a booth fee, and we are looking forward to the day when we are so full we have to turn people away,” he said.

Not just Monroe Countians can set up at the market. Vendors from as far away as Columbia were in attendance.
Even so, several local producers were there with the early season’s pickings including squash, cucumbers, onions and potatoes.

Refreshments were provided for vendors and shoppers alike, and a drawing for a collection of locally crafted items was held.

The Farmers Market will be held each Saturday the rest of the summer.

For details, call the UK Extension Office.