For the past 22 years, the Farmers Market has offered seasonal fresh produce in Elkins. It has continuously provided locally grown food and other homemade items to area residents during that time, and officials remain committed to doing the same this year.

“We are really excited this year, I have some big players coming every week,” Elkins Farmers Market President Nicole Spencer told The Inter-Mountain. “We have Highland Fungi coming weekly with fresh mushrooms, and it looks like we are going to have 25 full-time vendors this year. We will have something for everyone.”

Spencer said those visiting the Farmers Market early this spring can expect to see items such as herbs, baby tomato plants, eggs, baked goods, onions and lettuces. As the season goes on, more items will become available. 

“We are hoping to have a lot of peppers this year, despite the shortage that is expected,” Spencer said. “We are focusing on growing a good bit of peppers this year, because they are going to be hard to find in the stores. And I want to try and get a good bit of sweet corn out this year as well. But this drought has hurt us a little this spring. I’m a little late getting some stuff in the ground because I don’t want to put it in dry dirt, I’m waiting for the good rain.”

A shopper looks over some of the plants available at the Ware’s Greenhouse and Gardens tent during the Elkins Farmers Market’s opening day. The market will be open again Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.

This will be the 11th-straight year that the Farmers Market will be at its downtown location behind the Railroad Depot. With the New Tygart Flyer departing at 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings,  a large number of train visitors visit the market before departing for their trips.

“People riding the train stop at the market quite often,” Spencer said. “They really enjoy doing some shopping while waiting to go on their ride.”

Some of the produce sold at the market is grown by Spencer, who owns a 20-acre farm on Georgetown Road. Many of the items she grows, such as apples, blueberries, chestnuts, walnuts, corn, tomatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, squash and zucchini, are featured at the market, not only from Spencer, but from other vendors as well.

Canned goods, breads, pies, fudge, handmade art, crafts, buckwheat flour, pottery, spices, woven items and much more can also be found at the Farmers Market.

“We want to sell things that are grown and made locally,” Spencer said. “Around July we will start having all the different peppers, and in August you will start seeing a lot of corn. But between now and then, we will still have a lot of items for people to choose from.”

For more information on the Elkins Farmers Market, visit its Facebook site or call 681-298-8510. Information can also be obtained via email at elkinsfarmersmarket@gmail.com.