Gabe Stark
Reporter

The Trenton Farmers Market began with a simple idea: bring locally grown and locally made products into the heart of the community.

Kathi Brewer, director of the farmers market, said the effort began four years ago when she, Jackie Hoffman and Tracy Attley saw a need for a local farmers market in Trenton. The group wanted the market to be downtown, where it could serve residents while also helping draw people to nearby businesses.

“We decided that we needed to have a farmers market,” Brewer said.

Main Street Trenton, under the direction of then-director Lauren Danner, partnered with the group to help bring the idea to life. Since then, the market has continued as a community-centered effort, with Main Street Trenton helping oversee the event and Brewer and Hoffman remaining involved.

Brewer said the market has remained important because of what it provides beyond produce and homemade goods.

“I guess the main thing was to kind of foster a community spirit,” Brewer said.

The farmers market gives residents a place to find locally grown produce, homemade items, crafts, baked goods and other products made by people in the area. It also gives vendors a chance to share their skills, talents and extra produce with the community.

Brewer said the market is a “grow it, make it” market, meaning vendors are welcome if they grow or make what they sell. Vendors are expected to follow Missouri cottage food laws when applicable, but there is no booth rental fee to participate. Applications and registration forms are available at Howard’s.

“If you grow it or make it, you can be a vendor,” Brewer said.

Brewer said there is no set limit on the number of vendors the market can accept.

“We’ll go down the sidewalk,” Brewer said. “We’ll go anywhere we need to go to make room for people.”

As the growing season continues, Brewer said the market is especially interested in seeing more produce vendors. She said people with large gardens or extra produce are welcome to participate, even if they can only attend once.

The market also provides benefits for downtown Trenton. Luke Vale, with My Ivanhoe in Trenton, said that downtown impact is one of the reasons the farmers market is important. Vale said that he has partnered with Tabletop Farms to bring produce to the market throughout the season.

“We partnered with Tabletop Farms to be able to bring produce to the farmers market, so that from the first day of the market in the season to the last, we would have consistent, fresh produce for the community,” Vale said.

Vale said the farmers market benefits downtown by encouraging people to shop local and by providing another amenity for the community.

“When people come downtown and shop local, it just strengthens our community,” Vale said.

The vendors themselves are part of what makes the market unique. Among them are Danny and Trudy Stewart of Stewart’s Jerky Company, who sell handmade jerky, seasonings and other products.

Danny Stewart said the company focuses on quality, using USDA Choice Angus top round for its meat jerky and fresh fruit when it is in season. He said the business gives him and his wife something to do together in retirement, while also allowing them to meet people.

“The product is the reason to get people to stop, but it’s the interaction with people,” Stewart said.

For shoppers, the market offers a laid-back atmosphere and a chance to connect with others. Brewer said one of her favorite parts of the market is seeing people visit with neighbors, vendors and friends.

“My favorite aspect, I think, is just the social connections,” Brewer said.

She said the market gives people a chance to see parts of the community they may not always notice, including the agricultural work happening around the area and the creativity of local makers.

“I think it just goes back to supporting your community,” Brewer said. “And supporting your community members that sometimes you don’t know have certain skills and talents.”

For more pictures and videos from the farmers market check out the TrentonTelegraph.com