By Adam Dodson
The Selma Times-Journal

The Orrville Farmer’s Market, providing fresh goods and produce to Dallas County, is preparing for the start of their market season, where farmers set up shop to sell their items. Lining up the front of the building, the farmers provide market guests with a variety of products from their fresh harvests.

These goods include blueberries, strawberries, watermelons, cucumbers peaches, peas, turnips and many more.
The market is open Wednesday through Friday and/or Saturday beginning on June 2.

According to Judy McKinney of the farmer’s market and owner of the Dallas County Seed Company, the timing with the opening of the market depends on the conditions throughout the seasons.

With a “wet winter,” she said some crops and harvests were slightly delayed.

Now open for two years, the farmer’s market aids local farmers in finding consistent customers.

According to McKinney, she and others saw an opportunity to not only benefit the farmers, but benefit the community as well.

“Our goal is to give locally grown produce as much opportunity to be sold as we can,” McKinney said. “Who doesn’t want fresh fruits and veggies? It is nice to see people eating healthy, because that is the buzz word right now.”

The open market also benefits the farmer’s market itself, as McKinney and market employees will also buy the vendors’ food and sell it for breakfast or lunch the next day.
For example, a farmer in a previous year had a stint where he specialized in turnips and mustards.

After the closing of the open market, the Orrville Farmer’s Market bought more of his crops to use for lunch the next day.
The farmer was then able to come in and see other people enjoying his turnips and mustards.

There is no set time during the market days where farmers must begin setting up or breaking down their vendor’s stations, but are allowed to freely flow in and out as they please.

As McKinney points out, a good farmer spreads his or her crops out incrementally in order to keep a steady flow of products coming in.

With the summer months approaching and fall soon after that, McKinney says this is the best time of the year to buy fresh farm-grown food.
In addition to the open market, the Orrville Market offers breakfast and lunch for their customers, hosts birthday parties and weddings.

For McKinney, it is all about providing a good atmosphere for the Dallas County residents.

“We have fun here at the farmer’s market,” McKinney said. “You never see a stranger here. For a lot of people it is a ‘remember when.’ The market serves as a catalyst for what we do here.”

The farmer’s market is open 6 a.m.-3p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

For more information about the Orrville Farmer’s Market, or any of the products to be sold, reach out to the market directly at (334) 996-8301.