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Farmer’s Market will return

By Staff | Apr 5, 2013

Market organizers say Shepherdstown shoppers can expect another year of diverse goods and produce at the yearly farmer’s market, which will return this Sunday, April 7 for its 21st season.

According to market vendor and local plant farmer, Megan Webber, the market will give local folks a chance to buy heirloom produce and organically farmed products from their neighbors and friends.

“It’s the place to see your neighbors and pick up some great food or plants,” Webber said.

As in years past, the market will also feature live entertainment by local musicians and special events and contests to be held throughout the season, like the popular tomato contest held mid-summer.

This spring, the farmer’s market will also celebrate Earth Day with a special children’s event to be held later this month.

For the event, Webber said that local kids will be invited to try their hand at farming, by planting seeds of their own.

Comprised of 18 vendors, the Shepherdstown Farmer’s Market offers goods hand picked by its members from an exclusive list of farms located within 20 miles of downtown Shepherdstown.

A founding farmer’s market member, and market President, Bill Grantham -whose Tudor Hill family farm is located near Middleway- said people come to the market looking for produce that tastes the way it did when they were kids.

“They want in-season produce,. They want flavor. And they want to know where it came from,” Grantham said of his customers.

Originally modeled after diverse farmers markets in D.C., Grantham said the Shepherdstown Farmer’s Market has found success in offering food and plants raised with simple, traditional practices.

“We have extremely good success there,” he said.

Webber said the farmer’s market is as good for the farmers who participate each summer as it is for the customers.

She said it offers small local farmers the unique opportunity to connect with customers and build long-lasting, crucial relationships with those dedicated supporters.

“We rely on the people who come to see us every week,” she said.

The farmer’s market will be open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1p.m until Dec. 22 and is located behind the Shepherdstown library, downtown. To get updates about the market and find out more about its vendors and offerings, visit its Shepherdstown Farmers Market Facebook page