The Traveler

Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Jaclyn Johnson Taylor Kinzler, a Hospitality, Restuarant Management major, sold flowers for the Riverbend Gardens at the Saturday morning Farmer's Market on the Fayetteville Square. Saturday was the first day of the market was open this year.

Fayetteville residents are beginning to gather on the square on Saturdays as the Fayetteville Farmer's Market opened last Saturday and will continue until Nov. 21. The market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. three days a week - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Started in 1974, the market is an avenue for local farmers, crafters, chefs, musicians, flower-gatherers, the Humane Society and artists to display their work, products or pets that are available for adoption.

This month, the market presents the Garden Series on the Square during the market hours. The series will kick off April 11 when Berni Kurz lectures about soil variety. Sara Pollard of the Mountain Greenery Farm will speak about assorted use of herbs during the Tuesday market, April 14. An instruction on ornamental plant sowing and placement will be given by Joan Sorn and Mark Corly April 18. Each of these three lectures will take place between 10 and 11 a.m. outside on the square. "If we have a large turnout, then we might move the lecture to the food court [near Jammin' Java] so we'll have more seating," said Cara Corbin, assistant manager for the Farmer's Market.

Traditionally, the market distributes a free tree to everyone who attends the spring season-opening farmer's market, but that day has been pushed back this year. The free tree giveaway will be April 25 this year; the supply is limited to one tree per person.

The main objective of this year's Farmer's Market is to "Be Green … Healthy, Safe and Clean." Administrators are asking that market-goers keep in mind their responsibility to the environment while participating. "Other businesses have had to make changes, now it's time for us to do the same," Corbin said. Suggestions to be green, healthy, safe and clean include: bring your own coffee cup, bring your own shopping bags/canvas bags, ride your bicycle, take the bus, or carpool to the market and, if you bring your pet, make sure to clean up after it.

On this season's opening day, farm-grown produce was just one of many products available to Fayetteville consumers. Entertainment was on every corner of the square, as three separate music ensembles were present, as well as one solo artist. Woven baskets, wooden vases and cutting boards, flower bouquets, watercolor and photo prints, pottery and woven blankets were also for sale. Representatives of the Northwest Arkansas Community Creative Center advertised art classes. Walton Arts Center representatives handed out brochures about their upcoming events and gave away free tickets in a drawing. Humane Society employees walked dogs through the crowds, in an attempt to find more families to adopt pets.

"We love to have elementary field trips come to the market, but we're also looking for ways to incorporate junior high schools, high schools and even UA students," Corbin said.

UA student Sparsh Agrawat said he never attends the farmer's market, "I've never really heard of anything about it that would attract me to go."

The farmer's market is, overall, a pleasant experience, said anthropology major Maggie Strain. "The couple of times I've been to the market, I enjoyed talking with the vendors there. It's a good way to learn about gardening and save money in this economy," she said.

Several special events will be included in the 2009 market, according to the Farmer's Market Web site. At the moment, the Web site includes a list of events and their dates, but the main description of each will be posted later. The first of the three farm tours is a tour of spring flowers, which will take place April 18. The remaining tours are scheduled for October and will focus on pumpkin and squash farms. April 28, June 16 and Aug. 13 are each designated "Kids Day."

Crafts will be sold throughout the year, but two craft showcases will feature these works in particular. May 2 is the Spring Craft Showcase, while Oct. 17 is the Fall Craft Showcase.

The farmer's market also hosts holiday celebrations for Mother's Day, Father's Day and Independence Day. Mother's Day has two correlated events, a Flower Arranging Demo May 7 and a Flower Fair May 9. For those who struggle to find Dad a gift each year, there is a Father's Day Gift Showcase on June 20. Because the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday this year, the market is having a Picnic in the Square Grill Out for the public.

For additional information, visit www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.com.

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