Growing Greenup- Farmers Market

Growing Greenup

Farmers Market

Anne Stephens

For The Ashland Beacon

It is Farmers Market season! Our Certified Greenup County Farmers Market opened in May and we have been seeing our producers add more and more fresh farm harvest each week! Local produce is an important and enjoyable part of community food systems. I encourage everyone in Greenup County to be aware of our local certified Farmers Market and to make plans to attend on a regular basis!

Greenup County Farmers Market is located outdoors under a huge pavilion at the Greenup County Extension Office, 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland KY 41144.

Hours are 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

The Extension Office is open for restroom access and you’ll find picnic tables in the center of the pavilion where you can sit down, visit with friends, and enjoy your breakfast/lunch/snack. There is a food truck at every market. The breeze and fans keep it cool and comfortable for vendors and customers.

You may wonder what the difference is between a certified market and a roadside produce stand. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture states that “the demand for affordable, fresh, local and healthy foods is growing. With more than 160 successful farmers’ markets across the Commonwealth, spanning more than 110 counties and 2,700 vendors, farmers’ markets and direct-to-consumer marketing are great ways to meet that demand. It’s simple for the consumer to find the products their looking for and buying local puts a face on your food with a connection between the consumer and farmer. Every action we take in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is aimed at helping farmers, farmers’ markets and agribusinesses in Kentucky.” https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/farmers-market.html

You will find that many of our vendors at the Greenup County Farmers Market have registered “Kentucky Proud” products and ALL of our producers are required to follow the guidelines published by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for Farmers Markets. They also receive guidance from our Greenup County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Linda Hieneman. You can reach her anytime by calling the Extension office at 606.836.0201. Her email is linda.hieneman@uky.edu.

As the Extension Agent for Community Arts in Greenup County, I love that our market features artisan vendors along with the producers. Along with fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, jelly and jam, honey, eggs, homemade breads and sweets, gluten-free and sour dough breads and sweets, you will find a variety of arts and craft items. We have handmade soap, carved gourds, crochet and hand sewn items, handmade jewelry and other decorative items, wood bases for charcuterie boards, hand carved wooden bowls, bird houses, customized gifts and décor, special guest food trucks and games/educational opportunities for kids. We also have t-shirts, hats, and reusable shopping bags with our market logo.

Our market is more than a quick stop for corn and beans when that season arrives – it is a family friendly destination for fun and discovering the talents of our local people. There will be live music the first Saturday of each month at noon. Plan to stay a while and take it all in!    

When shopping at the certified Greenup County Farmers Market, you can be sure that the produce you are purchasing was grown by the farmer/vendor who is selling it to you. That is a rule of our market. There is no reselling allowed. You can ask the farmers about their growing process, and they would be happy to discuss with you! You can also discuss the creative process with our artisans and crafters. They have been juried and approved with the assurance that they are creating their products in their own homes or at a local studio. Many of our vendors take orders and do custom creations. Come and meet them and get connected with the BEST gift-giving connections in our area! (It is even ok to buy gifts for yourself.)

If you would like to see a list of our vendors and what they have to sell, stop in the Extension Office anytime Monday – Friday, 8a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and pick up a market directory. You are welcome to attend the market any time and every time it is open. If you are a person who uses social media, please follow the Greenup County Farmers Market on Facebook and check out the website. You can stay “in the know” about special events and featured products. You never know exactly what you’ll find at the Farmers Market. Don’t miss out! I’ll see you there.

Contact Anne Stephens, Greenup County Extension Agent for Fine Arts and Community Development at 606.836.0201, 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144. anne.stephens@uky.edu Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky counties cooperating.