The Rockingham Farmers Market will open for the 2013 season on April 27 on Harrington Square in Rockingham.
The market opens at 8 a.m. and will close at noon.
“The market will have strawberries, greenhouse tomatoes, lettuce, and more wonderful spring items,” said Paige Burns, agricultural agent with the Richmond County Cooperative Extension.
Shoppers can take advantage of locally grown produce, fruit, bedding plants and things like local honey and molasses.
No flea market items or livestock animals will be sold at the market, but you may find homemade crafts for sale.
Keep your eyes open for signs placed around the county that list details on the Farmers Market. Those have been provided by Community Transformation Grants, which awarded a grant of $150,000 to Richmond and surrounding counties.
Paulette Moore of Community Transformation Grants is helping Richmond County make use of its share by applying it to the Farmers Market. Moore is also assisting Anson, Scotland and Montgomery counties with this grant.
“It can be used for enhancements such as signage,” said Moore. “We are trying to increase the region’s consumption of fruits and vegetables. There is also a lack of shade during the Farmers Market so we’ve purchased tents.”
Moore said attendance to the market has been low in past years, and this is likely due to many people not knowing when or where the market is. She said transportation to the market from rural areas in the county also contributes to a low turn-out.
Moore hopes to connect people who come into town for the market with Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham, as well as the Richmond Community Theatre and other features of downtown Rockingham, to build the community.
“We also want to encourage people to buy local,” said Moore. “It’s so critical for the economy.”
If you wish to sell produce at the Farmers Market, you will need to fill out a membership application with the Richmond County Cooperative Extension. Produce is eligible for sale if it is grown within 50 miles of Rockingham. Market representatives may request an inspection of your farm/work site to ensure your products are grown on the farm. There is also a one-time fee of $20 to submit the application. You can reach the Cooperative Extension by calling 910-997-8255.
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@civitasmedia.com.
This article has been edited and now contains correct information.
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