Local Farmers Markets Feature Farm-to-Table Items
WEAKLEY COUNTY (July 25) — Fresh, vine-ripened, homegrown tomatoes baking in the summer sunlight; cucumbers plucked straight from the vine; bright, yellow squash and a handful of tiny tomatoes perfect for a quick snack are only a handful of produce found in Weakley County.
Every Saturday, vendors gather under two pavilions – one in downtown Martin and another in Dresden – offering homegrown produce grown and plucked straight from their yards somewhere in Weakley County.
With a bounty of inexpensive options available, farm-to-fresh is made possible through vendors participating in the Dresden Farmers Market and Martin Farmers Market. Ripe, red tomatoes are easily found gracing vendor tables at the Terry Oliver Plaza, 421 Linden St. in Dresden, or under the Farmers Market Pavilion off of Lindell Street in downtown Martin.
To participate in the Martin Farmers Market as a vendor, manager Rich Gallagher said produce must be grown within 25 miles of Martin. Sellers pay a $2 fee to set up during the week and $4 for Saturday set-ups during peak season (June through August). Visitors to the market will find vegetables, some fruit, honey, barbecue seasonings, fried pies and baked goods.
For more information about participating in the market, contact Gallagher at 731-332-1910.
The Martin Farmers Market is open at 2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and from 8 a.m. until noon or sold out each Saturday.
For those close to Dresden on market days, the Farmers Market features local produce and artisan items from throws to face masks to pottery. Vendors set up at the Dresden Farmers Market from 2-6 p.m. Thursdays and from 8 a.m. until noon Saturdays.
Farm-fresh produce, baked goods, goat milk soap, farm-raised meats, eggs and other handmade items can be found under the Terry Oliver pavilion during market season. Anyone interested in selling at the Farmers Market can contact Jennifer Branscum at Dresden city hall, 731-364-2270, during normal business hours. The city charges $10 for vendors to sell at the Farmers Market and provides tables and chairs.
Social distancing and masks are being suggested to those who buy and sell at the local markets.
New to this year’s Martin Farmers Market are (L to R) Lin and Rosemary Templeton, a retired couple from Martin who decided to share their fresh produce with others.[/caption] 
Connie Kirkpatrick sells handmade face masks at the Dresden Farmers Market, 421 Linden St., each Saturday morning.
