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Walton Farmers Market seeks vendors, interest

SPENCER — WVU-Roane County Extension Service has been contacted by citizens in the Walton community about reviving the Walton Farmers Market.

Prior locations for the Walton Farmers Market were the Walton Community Building and the Bessie Jones Memorial Park.

The farmers market, which operated from 2012 to 2014 on Thursday evenings, disbanded after dismal sales, low market vendor participation, and customer traffic, said Brandy Brabham, WVU Extension Agent. Contributing factors to the closure were a couple of bad growing seasons and an inconsistent supply of product, Brabham said.

The community building leaders expressed an interest in seeing the farmers market revived as an economic and community center for activities during the week.

Based on interest in market gardeners, value-added producers, and community groups, a Walton Farmers Market could create some badly needed economic and community activities in the area, said Brabham.

Brabham said, “Along with citizens in the Walton community, several employees from the school, bank, and surrounding businesses make an ideal customer base for fruit and vegetable growers, egg and meat producers, bakers, and other value-added producers in the area to market their products. With no grocery store in the community and only a couple general stores and convenience stores nearby, local residents need more access to fresh fruits and vegetables.”

There will be a public meeting for people interested in learning more about how to start up the farmers market on March 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Walton Community Building in Walton, Roane County.

Vendors are needed to make the market possible, Brabham said. Vendors do not have to live within the Walton area or within Roane County to participate.

Home gardeners, greenhouse operators, flower gardeners, and fresh eggs, honey, and molasses and local meat producers are sought to participate in this market.

Handmade items from agricultural products will also be considered for sale at the market.

For those who do not farm or garden, vendors are sought to sell homemade baked goods such as breads, pies, cakes and cookies. No flea market type items will be allowed, she said.

4-H and FFA participants are asked to attend the meeting. The market will start in early summer, with tentative dates set for Wednesday evenings, Brabham said. Potential vendors must have an approved application in the WVU Extension Office prior to selling at the market.

To learn more about how to become involved in reviving this market, attend the meeting or call 304-927-0975, Brabham said.

If enough interest is available for the market, applications and rules will be available at the WVU-Roane County Extension Office in the lower level of the Roane County Library in Spencer.

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