Growing in Canton! Farmer’s Market to begin at Jail

Special to The Canton News 

There will be two more markets in June, on the 7th and 21st, and another two in July, on the 5th and 19th. 
“For this market, Calvin Younger will be dishing up delicious fare from his food truck, and we invite you to bring a blanket or chair to come sit a spell while Frazier Riddell plays for us under the canopy of trees.  John Malanchak, President of the Master Gardener Association, has committed to have a member of the Master Gardeners on-site to give gardening advice,” said Misty Slay, Farmer’s Market committee member. 

 Both the Old Jail Museum and log cabin will be open for tours, and there will be opportunities to visit with sponsors at their booths, where they’ll showcase health programs, farm equipment and activities for the children. 

Visitors can meet local farmers and gardeners, bakers and hobbyists who will have their fresh, goods for sale. They can take home purchases in a reusable Old Jail Farmers Market bag that’ll be available for just $3.

To set all of this in motion, Maureen Simpson, President of the CMCHS, has assembled a committee including Joy Foy, Sarah Ellis, Misty Slay, and Dana Nowell to oversee putting together and running the farmers market.  The committee, working with Simpson and Stone Vincent of Mansell Media, has presented the plans to the Canton Mayor and Canton Board of Aldermen, built a marketing campaign, and solicited sponsors for the market.   

The committee is also actively seeking gardeners who need a home to sell their produce and is very hopeful that with a good crowd of customers and time, they can grow and offer all local farmers a market for their goods in Canton. 

So far, the Old Jail Farmers Market will include produce from Sumrall Farms, flowers, eggs, vegetables, and baked goods from the committee members’ gardens, honey from Boutwell Bee Farm, blueberries, when in season, from Jasper and Carolyn Bacon’s orchard, and other offerings from local growers and farmers,” said Slay.  
“The vision for this market extends beyond the simple sale of goods. This is an opportunity to come and shake the hands that grew and prepared the food, glean from the wisdom of our gardeners-next-door, and gather with our community to support our own. On behalf of the committee, we hope to see each and every one of your friendly faces at the market this summer,” said Slay. 

Canton Tourism Executive Director May McCarty said, “I am thrilled about getting a farmer’s market. It’s a wonderful way to bring the community together, and who doesn’t love fresh produce? This is a great addition to our town, and has the potential to attract visitors from neighboring communities. Anything that adds quality of life for the people of Canton or provides economic impact is a win-win.”

If anyone is interested in becoming a vendor for the market, booth space will cost just $10.  Details and applications are available on the Canton-Madison County Historical Society Facebook Page and at cantonhistoricalsociety.com/oldjailfarmersmarket. 
The Old Jail Farmers Market would not be possible without the help of these sponsors: Platinum Sponsors: G.A. Carmichael, Madison County CO-Op, AG-UP, and Bank Plus   Gold Sponsor: Performance Therapy   Partner Sponsors: Moses Thompson and Madison County Farm Bureau Federation.