Albemarle Tradewinds June 2016 Final Web Optimized

The Hertford Farmers
Market is back!
Hertford’s Missing Mill Park is once again the site of a friendly, small town market selling fresh
produce, live plants, herbs, honey and baked goods. Every Saturday morning, eight AM to noon,
vendors will offer and customers will buy some of the best of the locally farmed and crafted goods.
Market vendors include Marshall Bateman of “Sunshine Nursery” with fresh local produce and
local honey, Paula Rogerson of “Have Some Chocolate,” selling delicious fudge and cakes, Yeopim
Crabs offering live crabs (No. 1s, 2s, and 3s), Jackie Cartwright selling fresh local eggs, Country
Flair with homemade crafts and American Legion Post 126 with roasted peanuts!
The most exciting innovation in the Market this year is the contribution of local high school
students. This year, for the first time, the Hertford Farmers Market will be run by the students of
the Perquimans High School Future Farmers of America. No other market in the area is run by
high school students. There are also several high school vendors at the market: Northeastern High
School will have hanging baskets and bedding plants for sale, the PCHS LEAD and Breakfast
Clubs will have fresh mint from the EcoLiteracy Garden, marigold seeds and fresh cut rosemary
and the Perquimans High School FFA itself will have squash, snap beans, cucumbers, zucchini
and tomatoes.
With the high school student come youth, energy, enthusiasm and idealism. Angel White,
advisor to the FFA, describes their project this way:
“The Hertford Farmers Market is being established to encourage farming in the area and to
strengthen Perquimans County’s sense of community. Our goal is to provide locally grown and
made produce and products to our community and surrounding areas, through a cooperative,
sustainable and entrepreneurial partnership of growers, craftsmen, merchants, and the community.
“The market will strive to be a blend of fresh marketplace and gathering spot in Hertford for all
members of the community. The students are also working on plans to integrate more family
friendly activities into the farmers market to bring adults and children out and encourage the
community to really utilize the market.
The Hertford Farmers Market opened Saturday, May 20, 2016, undaunted by rain! The booths
were set up under the picnic pavilion in the Missing Mill Park and a good crowd gathered to see
Sid Eley, director of the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce, preside over a ribbon cutting.
The FFA students ran the market, offering a face-painting booth for children and charming the
customers with bright smiles and warm welcomes.
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