The OARDC Mid-Week Farmers Market

The OARDC campus is now home to a mid-week farmer’s market held every Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 6pm throughout the summer growing season. Staff, faculty, students and especially members of the Wooster community can buy from a wide assortment of fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables, specialty baked goods, vibrant bouquets of garden flowers and even find a local source for delicious farm fresh eggs and meats.

Each week,  at least 12 vendors set up their tents and create beautiful displays for their products. As word is getting around, the market is growing with a customer count of over 300 for each of the last several weeks.

The Agroecosystem Management Program initiated the farmer’s market project with several goals.

The most obvious goal was to make the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables very convenient for all of us on campus but we also wanted to establish a greater connection between the OARDC staff and the Wooster community.

To host the marketing of the produce in which the OARDC invests its research and time demonstrates the completion of the circle of the agricultural industry. Consumers are able to see the connection between the research the OARDC does and how it impacts what they buy. The setting also brings the OARDC affiliates in contact with community members and their needs and concerns.

The farmer’s market provides an opportunity for the community to learn from the farmers about how and where their food is grown. This will help enhance people’s understanding of the agricultural industry and get people excited about supporting local farms and farmers.

The AMP summer interns helped manage the market throughout the season and collected valuable data as part of research to better understand the farmer’s market function and it’s role in the local food system.

The OARDC Mid-Week Farmers Market is located behind the Fisher Auditorium and the Shisler Conference Center on campus.

Here is the Vendor Application  and The Vendor Agreement Form for the 2009 market season.