It’s been about one month into the Greene County Farmers Market season and the popularity has been growing.

This is the second year that Thomas Jefferson Gardens of Greene County has been coordinating and managing the farmers market that happens on Tuesdays through September on Chestnut Street, just south of East Lincoln Way in Jefferson. Jean Walker is the coordinator and says they are averaging 15 vendors each week and explains how they adjusted the farmers market to draw more people.

“This year we changed our hours. We had several customers request that we change it so they could come after work. So our hours have changed, this year they are from 5-7(pm). And we also this year are not charging our vendors for their booth space. (We are) trying to get more vendors to come back (and) to build our farmers market back up again.”   

Walker explains the Iowa Legislature also made a change this year that allows for more vendors to sell their products at the farmers market with the Cottage Law.

“If you want to bring baked goods, you no longer have to do it in a certified kitchen, you can do it in your home. And with the new Cottage Law, you are allowed to bring canned goods. There are rules and regulations. It has really made a big difference in what people bring to the farmers market now.”

Walker adds there is usually a fundraising meal that is served at each farmers market and there will be periodic live musical entertainment as well. The Greene County Farmers Market is every Tuesday from 5-7pm through September.