Farmer’s Market 2022

by Peggy Bair

Warmer Temps Usher in Opening Day at Leavenworth’s Haymarket Square Market

In stark contrast to the cold, rainy and COVID-beset Farmer’s Market opening of two years ago, the 2022 opening day was a sunny, warm and welcoming 70 degree event at Haymarket Square in Leavenworth, KS. Locals returned with no masks and plenty of smiles instead.

This year’s Leavenworth Farmer’s Market hosts 30 vendors and 15 of those appeared for the opening day at the town’s Haymarket Square. Some farm product vendors will not have produce until later due to the growing season, however, Rivers Edge, JET Produce and Meats and Green Thumbs Up opened this Saturday with fresh tomatoes, greens, flowers and starter plants.

Flowers galore filled the air with fragrance and brilliant colors while Hillside Honey, the Bean Patch jams and jellies and Honeyfield Winery filled a steady stream of patron’s purchases.

The market runs on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon, May 7-August 27, 8 a.m. – noon September 3 – October 29 and on Wednesdays, May 11 – September 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. https://leavenworthfarmersmarket.com

Erin Maher is enjoying her fourth year at the market offering Felicita’s Farms Fresh Flowers. She grows her flowers in McLouth, KS.

Jacob Thomas of JET Produce and Meats, is the Saturday market manager this year. Austin Reynolds with Green Thumbs Up is the Wednesday market manager.

Thomas agreed that the spring had been slow to warm up this year. “Everything we set out four weeks ago looks the same as the day we planted it. Things are going to pop up this week. It’s going to get warm. Next week, we’re going to have a lot more stuff. It’s going to take off in the next two weeks.” Thomas said JET has expanded its flower offerings this year but the farm’s meats continue to be its strongest seller. https://www.jetproduceandmeats.com

Austin Reynolds with Green Thumbs Up was on hand Saturday with fresh green, herbs and plants at the Leavenworth Farmer’s Market. Reynolds is the Wednesday market manager for 2022. https://greenthumbsupproduce.wixsite.com/kansas/who-are-we

Zach Oberdiek of River’s Edge, a long time tomato producer, not only offers his tomato varieties but also plants for purchase. Oberdiek advised that planting tomatoes depends on assessing the most favorable weather conditions, taking day and nighttime temperatures into account and also consistent ground temperature. Putting the plants out sooner isn’t the best option. “You can set plants out at the beginning of May and you can set them out in the middle of May – and the ones you set out in the middle of May will produce more sooner than the ones you set out at the beginning of May, on average.” https://www.riversedgeproduce.com

Colorful mounds of cotton candy were getting spun by the market’s youngest vendor Ben Dunn, 11, as he began his second year at Haymarket’s Saturday event. During his startup, he said he borrowed money for the machine and startup materials but he said he paid that off and is profit-making now. He turns 12 this month, he said. He was assisted at the market by Mary Bonner and John Bonner, his aunt and uncle. https://benscottoncandy.square.site

The popular booth Beth’s Kydz Sudz was selling out goat soaps fast again this year but also offers artisan breads and goat milk fudge. https://www.bethskydzsudz.com

Mary and Morgan Bean were busy on opening day this year, with their repeat customer favorites but also some new infusions in their lineup. https://www.ksbeanpatch.com/s/shop

Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery co-owner Michelle Meyer was on hand for the Leavenworth Farmer’s Market opening day. The legacy winery began in 1994 and is located on 30 acres in Basehor, KS. Meyer joined the Leavenworth Farmer’s Market this year with a selection of not only wines but chocolates and drink mixes. The winery has 15 wines on offering, several which have won a plethora of Best of Show awards. http://www.holyfieldwinery.com