Waleska will have its first market this year. The Waleska Farmers Market at Reinhardt University will be conducted at Reinhardt College. The market will begin Thursday and will be conducted on the first Thursday of each month through August from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The market will be conducted on the college campus behind Waleska First Baptist Church.
Zach White, market manager and horticulturalist at Reinhardt, said he brainstormed with math professor Elizabeth Smith and both concluded a lots of those who attended both the Canton and the Jasper farmers' markets last year were from the Waleska area.
"There are so many farmers in the northern area in the county- and there's a real opportunity for farmers to have a local, close location to sell their products," he said.
White said there are about 13 vendors signed up to participate. Organizers will cap the number of vendors at about 15 as the parking lot has limited space.
Items that will be sold include produce, arts and crafts and fresh plants. Vendors must pre-register with White and must register again at the market.
White added the market will create a sense of community in Waleska.
"We believe it's going to be very positive," he said. "We've gotten great support from the community."
The city of Woodstock is making plans to bring its farmers market back to residents on the south end of the county.
The Woodstock Farmers Market will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday from June 19 to Sept. 28. Billy Peppers, the city's director of economic development services, said he's still trying to nail down an exact location.
The city conducted its inaugural farmers market last year and averaged about 20 vendors each Saturday, Peppers added.
"I think that's about the same range we want to see this year," he said.
Last year, the city had vendors that specialized in produce, homemade soaps, baked goods, cut flowers, produce and canned goods.
Peppers said he is hoping to attract those same vendors. He also said the decision on whether to allow arts and crafts is still up in the air.
This year, the city was able to nab Cherokee Bank as a sponsor, which Peppers said helps cut cost on the front end.
Peppers is predicting a successful market season as many crops have come in earlier due to the wet winter and the rapid warm-up.
Canton is also bringing its farmers' market back for residents to enjoy. The Canton Farmers' Market will be conducted at 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday beginning June 5 through the month of September.
The market will be held rain or shine in Cannon Park beside the gazebo in downtown. Vendors need to bring their own tents, tables or chairs and can only have locally grown or handmade products.
Ginger Garrard, coordinator for the market, said there are about 30 vendors lined up to participate. This year, Ms. Garrard said there will also be cooking demonstrations and demonstrations from the Cherokee County Master Gardeners. She said she hopes to have live music at the markets.
Ms. Garrard said farmers' markets have become popular due to the recent news reports about food safety.
"We've had so many food scares in the past and I think people like to put a face with their food," she said.
The Cherokee Fresh Market and the Garden Patch Market will also give residents an opportunity to put a face with the foods they enjoy.
The Cherokee Fresh Market, sponsored by the Cherokee County Farm Bureau, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday beginning May 29 through the month of October. The market will be held under the wooden pavilion at the Cagle Family Farm, located at 362 Stringer Road in Hickory Flat.
Beginning on Saturday, the Cagle Farm House will host its Garden Patch Market from dawn to dusk. The market will be conducted every Saturday until Oct. 16.
The Cagles will be selling their own crops, such as tomatoes, corn, lettuce, spinach, onions, fresh garlic and potatoes.
Bernese Cagle, a member of the Farm Bureau and one of the coordinators of both markets, said there will be about 25 vendors at the Cherokee Fresh Market each Saturday.
Only locally grown produce and handmade items can be sold at the market. The Market will also feature programs throughout the season, with topics such as beekeeping and honey and canning on the docket for discussion.
Mrs. Cagle said the markets continue to grow as people become more interested in gardening and knowing their food sources.
"More and more people are wanting fresh vegetables and more and more people are growing their own gardens."
Ms. Cagle also said farmers' markets have become "a gathering place" for the communities.
Eddie Smith of Salacoa Valley couldn't agree more. Smith is planning to sell "functional stoneware" at Waleska's upcoming market. Smith, the husband of Ms. Smith at Reinhardt College, will sell items such as breakfast bowls, serving bowls and vases to the public.
Like White, Smith has participated in both the Jasper and Canton farmers' markets and said both add a sense of community to the area.
"Farmers' markets build community with people and they bring people closer together," he said.
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