Local farmers market going strong after location change

After moving locations in February, the local farmers market run by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners program is going strong in its new location.

The farmers market was forced out of its original location in the Home Depot parking lot after liability issues arose.

The market now operates each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the parking lot of Draft Picks at 1101 S. Highway 160.

The new location has worked out because the area is located right in plain view of the busy highway, coordinator Steve Richardson said.

“It’s been going real well,” Richardson said. “We’re getting a little better visibility from the road and the traffic has been pretty good.”

A usual problem that comes with a business moving locations is old customers finding their new location. Richardson explained that the migration of customers has not affected them too much thus far.

“It’s kind of worked itself out now,” Richardson said. “We get a few people who are just rediscovering us, but it worked pretty smooth. We tried to let people know a few weeks in advance that we were moving.”

The amount of vendors depends on mother nature, but there is usually a vast array of options for those visiting the farmers market on a given Saturday.

“Depending on weather we are usually running between about 16-to-24 vendors,” Richardson said.

Any vendor that wants to sell at the market has to meet one specific requirement that is important to Richardson.

“It’s all local,” he said. “One of our rules is you’re buying directly from the person who is selling the product. It’s all locally grown produce, it’s local handcrafts and local cottage foods.”

Richardson estimates that between 100 and 200 people make their way through the market each Saturday. Of those visiting, he said that the biggest draw is the locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Richardson is always open to new vendors joining the farmers market to add the mix of local product offered to residents.

“We urge as many vendors to come as possible,” he said. We think that just being there steadily every Saturday will get a good customer pool going.”

If you are interested in setting up shop at the farmers market, and your product fits in with the vendors’ guidelines, you can do so by contacting Richardson via phone at 661-433-6648, or by emailing him at Pahrump4us@gmail.com.

Vendors are required to pay a fee of between $4 to $7 depending on the size of space that is required by the vendor.

If you haven’t checked out the farmers market yet, Richardson invites you down to see what they’re all about.

“Weather depending come on out and I think you will enjoy it,” Richardson said. “Just stroll on through and see what you like.”