Winter Farmer's Market Draws Crowd

By Joel Frady

It was a beautiful day as customers rushed about the Ashe County Farmer's Market, looking at all the locally

produced goods offered by more than a dozen vendors. Goat cheese, jams, jellies and meats were just some of the popular items, and the vendors couldn't ask for a better spring day to hold the market.

But it wasn't spring; it was the first Saturday in March, and it was the second winter market held this year by the Ashe County Farmer's Market in an attempt to find out if people are interested in visiting the market during the off-season.

"We have a group of vendors that sell meat, eggs and other things that are in demand all year round," said Patty Shay, the market manager for the past two years. "So what was happening was that the farmer's customers were calling them to get the products rin the winter time, and they were informally meeting them here in town."

When the famer's market board met in February, they decided to test the waters by holding the two winter markets.

Unlike the March market, however, the weather in February was quite dreary.

"The week leading up to the market had frigid temperatures," said Shay, "and a lot of the vendors couldn't make it in February." Approximately five vendors attended the market, but Shay noted that "the sales for the vendors here were actually pretty good. We had a decent customer turnout that day."

But in March, great weather provided the setting for a "bigger and better turnout," begging the question: Will there be more winter markets in the future?

"I think that you will see more winter markets," said Shay. "I can even see this eventually going year round, and that is a trend that is happening across the country." She noted that farmers are able to grow more crops for longer due to "season extension techniques" like greenhouses, while other farmers are growing winter crops, like spinach. For Shay, it's the sign of a growing market.

"I'm really excited about it," she said of the winter market. "This way, people don't have to go cold turkey in the winter time and miss all their favorite farmer's market products." She added that it's also good for the farmers, who can "make more money, year round, so they don't have to shut down and figure out how to get through the year."

Smyre Named Market Manager
Saturday also marked the end of Shay's days as the market manager of the farmer's market. John Smyre, who moved to Ashe County in August of 2008 after retiring the previous January, has agreed to take the position.

"We came to the market all the time anyway, and enjoyed it so much," he said. When he heard that the farmer's market needed a manager, he jumped at the opportunity.

"I can't take Patty's place," he said with a grin, "but I'm going to try."

Smyre said that he was attracted to the market because "everything is locally grown or locally made here in Ashe County. I just thought that was so unique." He noted that he also thinks of the market as a place "just to chit-chat and meet people."

Smyre already has one goal for the market, as well.

"I'm still getting my feet wet," he said, "but we want to grow."

If Saturday was any indication, the Ashe County Farmer's Market might already be moving in that direction. The Ashe County Farmer's Market will start holding regular Saturday market hours on April 11. To find out more, contact Smyre at (910) 309-1932.