The weather is getting warmer, and farmers markets in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area are opening for the 2017 season.
The Cabot Farmers Market is scheduled to open May 6 and run from 8 a.m. to noon. It will be in the parking lot of Renew Community Church, 1122 S. Second St.
The Cabot Farmers Market will be open every Saturday through Sept. 9.
Matt Webber, market manager for Cabot City Beautiful, said the Cabot market offers a little bit of everything, including fruit, vegetables, baked goods, canned goods and crafts.
“Everything sold at the Cabot Farmers Market has to fall under one of two categories. It either has to be grown in Arkansas or made in Arkansas,” Webber said.
On May 6, Cool 104.7 will broadcast live from the Cabot Farmers Market.
Cabot Lions Club members will host a clothing drive to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Open Arms Shelter.
“We try to have special events or entertainment each Saturday,” Webber said. “We have a calendar, and local talent can sign up to perform.”
Webber said local farmers markets are important for communities.
“You get to meet some great farmers, growers, bakers, crafters and entrepreneurs,” Webber said.
One family of farmers from Lonoke, the Barnhills, will be vendors at the Cabot Farmers Market.
Ekko Barnhill of Barnhill Orchards explained that the business will offer a variety of fresh produce throughout the coming months.
“Right now, we are offering green leaf lettuce, kale, chard, and turnip, collard and mustard greens,” Barnhill said. “By late May, we will have squash, zucchini, cucumbers and other salad vegetables.
“By midsummer, we will have watermelon, cantaloupe, okra, potatoes, corn, tomatoes and sweet onions.”
Barnhill said farmers markets are vital to every small community.
“Not only do they provide a sense of community, but allow the customers to know they are supporting the farmers throughout the year,” Barnhill said. “We can only grow through the support of our neighbors and customers.”
Another local market, the Searcy Farmers Market, kicked off the season Saturday and will run through November, opening from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, and from 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays. The market is on the Courthouse Square in downtown Searcy.
Amy Burton, executive director of Main Street Searcy, said special events will go on periodically throughout the year, including live music and activities for children.
“It’s so nice to get to know your farmers and know where your food is coming from,” Burton said.
“We have so many farmers who offer naturally grown products, and it’s really important for people to have the option to buy produce that isn’t sprayed with pesticides,” she added.
Burton said the Searcy Farmers Market has grown over the years.
“When we first started, it was a traditional fruits and vegetables market. Now we offer baked goods, arts and crafts, and T-shirts sponsored by Unity Health,” Burton said.
“Everything stays within the market and supports our local farmers market,” she added.
The Jacksonville Farmers Market is set to open Tuesday from 3-6:30 p.m. The market will be open every Tuesday through November at 9 Municipal Drive.
Dana Rozenski, recreation programs supervisor for Jacksonville, said the farmers and vendors of Jacksonville make the market special.
“We also have a good location, being right off the freeway,” Rozenski said.
Vendors will sell produce, meat, poultry, candy, preserves, granola and more.
The Batesville Farmers Market will open May 6 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The market will meet the first and third Saturdays of the month, May through October, at the Pocket Park on Main Street.
Shannon Haney, executive director of Main Street Batesville, said the market is a great way to support local farmers.
“It’s a win-win for everyone: farmers are able to sell their products without a middleman, and locals are able to buy the freshest and best product,” Haney said. “Dollars stay in the community, and shoppers take home food they can trust and vegetables that have a flavor.”
Haney said the Batesville Farmers Market is strictly local. No food is bought out of state and brought in for sale.
“We will have live music most days, demonstrations by artisans on select days, and as always, craft vendors, art vendors, baked goods, preserved foods and fresh produce,” Haney said.
The market’s opening day in Batesville will include live music, and American Red Cross representatives will be on-site to conduct the organization’s annual Main Street blood drive.