Over 230 visitors from across county lines enjoyed the twelfth season opener of the Martin County Farmer’s Market last Saturday, endorsing the market’s popularity.
This year’s opening marks the return of former market manager Jean Brownfield. Brownfield was the manager for five years beginning in 2013. In 2018 she left her market leadership position.
“I took a break to go back to school and spend time with my sons, Caleb and Andrew, before they went off to college,” said Brownfield.
On Saturday, 14 vendors offered a selection of products including fresh produce, a healthy variety of annuals, perennials, creepers, climbers, herbs and seedlings.
In addition to the vendors, the Williamston Church of Christ ran the concession stand as a fundraising event for the church.
“Weekly we offer a place for local churches and civic groups to have a fundraiser in our concession stand,” Brownfield said.
A Williamson native, Brownfield was encouraged by the strong Saturday turnout and anticipates keeping up the momentum throughout the season.
Brownfield attracted a talented group of vendors.
Williamston’s Michael Cooper of Nursery’s Outback returned to this year’s market in his annual corner spot. Cooper’s green thumb is the envy of the many gardeners stopping by to transplant his starters into local area yards.
Cooper’s Nursery’s Outback is located at the corner of Watts and Main St. in downtown Williamston and is an added attraction offering a garden break downtown. Cooper is a regular at the market.
“The name ‘Nursery’s Outback’ was coined fairly quickly. My life partner and I were mulling ideas over, thinking of characteristics, location and size. I said ‘Nursery’ and he said ‘Out Back’ and Nursery’s Outback was born,” said Cooper, of his sixteenth of an acre plot.
In season, Cooper tries to have a little of everything, including vegetable plants, perennial and annual flowering plants, along with some houseplants.
Sweetwater Bakery, the home of Jeannie Holliday’s famous Cinnamon Rolls, was again pastry lovers’ highlight displaying the rolls, her flavorful Focaccia bread and a selection of home baked goods.
The regular season market hours are now in effect. The market runs through Saturday, Aug. 31 from 8 a.m. until noon.
Specialty markets include the popular Christmas in July on Saturday, July 20 and the newest event, First Responders Day, including several emergency vehicles on display on Saturday June 27.
Those interested in becoming a market vendor contact Jean Brownfield atjcbrownfield@ncat.edu
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