Vermillion area Farmer’s Market open during Winter season
Throughout the winter season, the Vermillion area Farmer’s Market is a place where local vendors can sell homemade and homegrown goods to the community. The market is open every second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until May and is held in the Clay County Extensions Building on 515 High Street.
The dean of the School of Education at USD, Amy Schweinle, serves as the president of the board for the market.
“We have this great group of people at the market. It’s a great community of vendors and they really want to support each other,” said Schweinle.
Vermillion has hosted the market for over 10 years and venders from across the region come to sell their products and share their traditions with the Vermillion public. Dale and Marie Hebda of Hebda Produce have been a vendor at the market for several years. While the typical supermarket will suffice, Dale said he encourages people to take advantage of visiting the farmers market when they get the chance.
“With the famers market, it’s all fresh. The flavor and quality of what you’re getting here is really special,” Dale said.
Schweinle said the market strives to make the application process as simple as possible for those interested in becoming a vendor. As there is no vendor fee for first time appearances at the market, those interested in selling their products with the community are welcomed to show up whenever the market is open. People can join the market’s Facebook group, Vermillion Area Farmers Market, to advertise the products they will be selling.
“Really, if you want to be a vendor, just show up. The doors open an hour before the event and during the winter, there are tables and chairs already there. Just bring anything else you need to sell, and we’ve got a market manager who can help with any of the paperwork, contract rules and regulations,” Schweinle said.
The market will be hosting a seed swap Feb. 26 during their winter market hours. People are invited to take planting seeds at no cost and can share some of their own. Upcoming events include the Soup-A-Palooza and an Earth Day celebration.
