The Columbia Farmers Market offers opportunities for local vendors to come together and share their talents.
A sign shows attendees where to enter the Columbia Farmer’s Market on Sept. 9, 2023, at MU Health Care Pavilion, in Columbia, Mo. The Columbia Farmers Market began in 1980 and only consisted of a few local vendors. Their first year was sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee and the University of Missouri Extension Service. Customers walk around and inspect the variety of vendors and produce. Since it first opened, Columbia Farmers Market has grown to amass 96 vendors. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday customers flock to this renowned market to pick produce and get to know the local vendors.
“The customers range from students to one time shoppers to people visiting Columbia to regulars who come every week,”Liz Graznak, owner of Happy Hollow Farm, said.Peppers, Tomatoes, Garlic and Basil sit for sale at the Happy Hollow Farms booth.
“We’ve had a very good tomato season; it’s been hot and dry. We also had a really good melon season. Winter squash is looking really good because it was hot and dry,” said Liz Graznak, owner of Happy Hollow Farm.Employees of Happy Hollow Farm unload produce for their farmers market booth. Before starting Happy Hollow Farms, owner Liz Graznak said she worked on three other farms.
“I learned the most when I worked for Dan Kibler who has The Salad Garden,” said Graznak.For sale tomatoes sit on a table next to a “USDA Organic Certified” sign at the Happy Hollow Farms booth. Owner Liz Graznak was a former member of the National Organic Standards Board, which makes decisions regarding issues about the production, handling and processing of organic products. Liz Graznak, on the right, talks to a customer, on the left, about the wide selection of products and engages in friendly chit chat.
“My favorite part of the market is seeing my customers because I can just chat […] with the people that are new customers but also the folks that come every week,” said Graznak.Local band, The Sedans v. Wyoming, performs their song “Don’t Go To Mary” for the farmers market. Every Saturday, the farmers market hosts live music which embodies the “spirit of Columbia” according to Evan Jerkins, lead guitarist of The Sedans v. Wyoming. These performances feature an array of artists from rock and roll to country. Vendor picks potatoes from a farmer’s booth.
The Columbia Farmers market has been a source of community for 43 years. Each week vendors are able to gather and share their talents with their patrons.
“It’s important for people to have a place to come together to show their skills and what they can contribute to the cultural experience,” Evan Jenkins, lead guitarist of The Sedans v. Wyoming, said. A sign lists produce at the Happy Hollow Farms booth, owned by Liz Graznak. Graznak has been with Columbia Farmer’s Market for 13 years and has also been a member of the Community Supported Agriculture since she was in graduate school.
Holly • Oct 21, 2023 at 8:39 pm
Outstanding photographs by Miss Birmingham.