Farmer’s Market, a great experience

Dear Editor,

I told my son that all I wanted for Mother’s Day was for him to take me to the Ridgeway Farmer’s Market. We had a very nice time.

A farmer’s market – an experience that takes you back to a simpler time. Farmers markets really do bring people together. It’s a chance to meet directly with the grower, maker, and/or producer.  Given the value you get, the price is just right.

According to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), from 1994 to 2019, the number of farmers markets rose from 1,755 to 8,771 in 2019.

There are 3 in Iowa County*, definitely not a carbon copy (if you don’t know what that is, look it up) of each other.

The most established is Dodgeville, held at the same location for, I believe, the last 50 years (and the most reasonable if you’re a vendor). The third market is Mineral Point.

Trivia:  

The first famers market in the United States opened in Boston in 1634.

If you live in Ohio, Michigan, WISCONSIN, California, Kentucky, New York, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts you are lucky enough to be in a state with the most farmers markets in the country.

*A place and best time for everyone in the family:

Ridgeway 

Sundays 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Ballpark Shelter

299 Hughitt St 

Dodgeville

Saturdays 8:00 AM-11:30 AM

327 N. Iowa Street

Mineral Point

Saturdays  8:30 AM-11:00 AM

Watertower Park

Business Highway 151 

at Madison Street

Eileen Z. Fitzsimons

Dodgeville, WI